Saturday 6 June 2015

Hopwood, John Thomas - Private (102163)

Pte John Thos Hopwood
2nd Battalion,
Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Killed in Action,
11th April 1918,
Age 28
Commemorated Tyne Cot Memorial

Newspaper Report:

Mr. and Mrs Hopwood, of 43 South Shore Street, Haslingden, have recently received official intimation that their son, Private John T. Hopwood of the Notts, and Derby Regiment, reported missing on the 11th of April, 1918, is now presumed to have died on that date.  Deceased soldier who was 28 years of age was formerly employed as a raiser at Flash Mill, Grane Road, and enlisted in the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1916. Later he was transferred to the Notts and Derby Regiment and was wounded in October, 1917, as a result of which he was sent to hospital in Reedyford and subsequently to Heaton Park.  In March of the following year he was sent overseas again and after an engagement he was reported missing.  Another brother has also been serving with the forces.

Newspaper Memorials:

In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Pte. John (Jack) Hopwood, 2nd Batt, Notts and Derby Regt., who was reported missing 11th of April, 1918, now presumed dead, age 28.

"You did watch for me returning home,
Now I will watch for you.
And when you reach the golden gates,
I will come and lead you through.

What would we give his hand to clasp,
The son and brother we loved so well,
But it's sweet to know we'll meet again,
Where parting is no more.

He Sleeps besides his comrades,
In a hallowed grave unknown,
But his name is written in letters of love,
In the hearts he has left at home."

From his sorrowing Father, Mother, Sisters, Brother Bob and Sister in law, Minnie, Blackpool.

"Oft to our eyes the tears will come,
But we smile and hide our pain,
For we somehow feel that the brother we love,
We'll some day meet again."

From his loving sister and brother in law, Lizzie and Jim, 279, Helmshore Road.

"Oft we think of our dear brother,
And our hearts are sad with pain,
All this world would be a heaven,
Could we hear your voice again,
There is someone who misses you sadly,
And finds the time long since you went,
There is someone who thinks of you often,
But trys to be brave and content."

From his sorrowing sister Agnes and brother in law John.

"We know not, where his body lies,
By mountain, vale or dell;
We only know he can't be traced,
Our brother we loved so well."

From his loving Sister and Brother in law (Lizzie and Jim), 279 Helmshore Road.

"Oh for the touch of a vanished hand,
And the sound of a voice that is still."

From Father, Mother and Sisters, 43 South Shore Street.