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Auction: 25002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 130

Four: Flight Lieutenant H. S. Hopcraft, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, late King's Shropshire Light Infantry

British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut. H. S. Hopcraft); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, good very fine (4)

Provenance:
Sotheby's, 5 April 1993, when sold with his brother's medals; see Lot 131.

Hugh Stanley Hopcraft was born on 27 September 1893 and was educated at St. Paul's School, Barnes. Commissioned with his brother into the 7th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry in September 1914, he transferred to a reserve battalion in August 1915.

However, he rejoined the 7th Battalion in France as a Temporary Lieutenant in February 1916 and quickly saw action on the Somme. And it was there, whilst serving as a Lewis Gun Officer, that he was seriously wounded in the costly action at Bezantine Ridge on 14 July 1916, when the battalion suffered casualties of 15 officers and 457 other ranks. Owing to his wounds, Hopcraft was latterly employed at the Ministry of Munitions, and he was demobilised in November 1919.

Commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Administrative and Special Duties Branch in the R.A.F.V.R. in April 1941, he shortly thereafter joined the staff of the Deputy Directorate of Organisation (Planning). And he appears to have remained likewise employed for the duration of the war, gaining advancement to Flight Lieutenant in July 1944 and a mention in despatches (London Gazette 24 June 1945, refers). He died in Camden, London in April 1985, aged 91; sold with copied research.

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Estimate
£80 to £120

Starting price
£60