Arthur William Hopkins was born in 1892 at 13 Park Street, Luton, the son of Arthur Hopkins, a Draper and Ethel Selina Hopkins (nee White) who died giving birth to Arthur.

He enlisted as Private 5078 with the 1st Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company and embarked for France in July 1916.

Before the winter weather forced a pause in British attacks until the new year, on 13 November 1916 the final large British attack, The Battle of the Ancre began.

Arthur, with 'D' Company went in to action on 13 November attacking at 5:45 in thick fog. They quickly overran the first system of German trenches, taking many prisoners in the process but the success came with a heavy price as only two officers were left and casualties of other ranks "was rather high". There was no respite as they were ordered back in to the German first line to "mop them up thoroughly" which they did successfully.

At 4:30am the next day the Company were ordered to take up positions for another attack. Quoting their CO from the War Diary "All previous orders were cancelled and a new scheme for attack was explained. Time being so short rations were dumped and after drawing a supply of Mills grenades the Company were led to their assembly point, arriving there at 5:45. The men were exhausted and could scarcely keep awake. At Zero Hour we started on the second stage. At this time visibility was good and when the Hun saw us we were at once greeted by heavy machine gun fire - so intense that we were held up."

It's not recorded exactly when Arthur was killed but fierce fighting continued into the afternoon until the village of Beaucourt was eventually captured and 'D' Company's position consolidated, 36 hours after the battle began.

Robin Marriott