May 25, 1889

Born at Dundalk, Grey County, Ontario

Sep 8, 1909

Married to Nora Louise Reynolds at Hamilton Ontario

Jul 4, 1913

Wife Nora Louise passed away at the Hospital for the Insane at Hamilton Ontario.  Cause of death was given as Epilepsy complicated by Exhaustion

Nov 6, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion at Kingston Ontario 

Ø      Number 59479 (temporary number 435)

Ø      Next of kin given as James Clark Hopkinson (father) of Port Burwell Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Farmer

o       Later changed to read Fruit Grower

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø      Assigned to “D” Company

o       This was later reorganized into “B” Company

Dec 21, 1914

Married to Adeline Martha Barr at Pembroke Ontario and next of kin changed to read Wife. 

A note was put into the file to “Also notify James Clark Hopkinson”

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama at Montreal Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked at Devonport England and proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe Kent

Jun 18, 1915

Assigned for duty in the Sergeant’s Mess

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St Seiriol at Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked at Boulogne France and proceeded to St Omer

Oct 3, 1915

Admitted to No 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a bullet wound to his head 

The Medical Officer recorded the following in the War Diary 

“Pte Hopkinson got a scalp wound.  Bullet struck his rifle barrel, was deflected downwards, went through his cap badge and furrowed his scalp.  His head was a foot below edge of parapet.  At 11.30 pm medical assistance was called for.  Man was dead when I reached Headquarters.  This is the first fatal casualty.  Had a very depressing effect.” 

This proved to be false, as he survived.  Pte Cecil Bowyer, 59086, was in fact the first fatal casualty of the Battalion, and he was killed on this date.

Oct 4, 1915

Transferred to No 6 CFA

Oct 21, 1915

Discharged to duty from the CFA

Apr 21, 1916

Appointed to rank of L/Cpl to replace L/Cpl Shrimpton 59884, who had been transferred to England

Aug 24, 1916

Admitted to No 15 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) with infected Appendix

Sep 4, 1916

Discharged to duty from the CCS

Oct 11, 1916

Awarded the Military Medal per London Gazette #29780

Nov 6, 1916

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Feb 7, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Aug 15, 1917

Appointed to rank of Acting Sgt with pay to replace L/Sgt WJ Cattanach, MM 454156 who had been wounded

Nov 11, 1917

Promoted to permanent rank of Cpl to replace Cpl FG Jocham 402993, who had been killed in action

Dec 8, 1917

Granted 14 days leave

Dec 19, 1917

Appointed to rank of L/Sgt to replace L/Sgt R Thompson 59974, who had been transferred to the Labour Pool

Dec 23, 1917

At duty from leave

Feb 1, 1918

Promoted to rank of Sgt to replace Sgt DR Wood 60092, who had been wounded

Jul 22, 1918

Proceeded to the Canadian Corps Railhead Depot to be returned to Canada as an instructor due to his special qualifications

Jul 31, 1918

Arrived at No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) pending return to Canada

Aug 2, 1918

Posted to EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) pending return to Canada

Aug 22, 1918

On Command to CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) pending return to Canada

Sep 22, 1918

SOS (Struck Off Strength) OMFC (Overseas Military Force of Canada) on returning to Canada

Sep 24, 1918

Embarked the SS Llanstephan Castle at London

Oct 8, 1918

Disembarked at Montreal Quebec and proceeded to Kingston Ontario

Oct 9, 1918

TOS (Taken On Strength) No 3 District Depot at Kingston Ontario and posted to the Casualty Company 

Granted leave with subsistence until October 22, 1918

Nov 6, 1918

Transferred to 2^nd Depot Battalion, EORD, at Ottawa Ontario and assigned to “C” Company

Nov 22, 1918

Medical Board at Ottawa states 

Ø      Man suffers from Chronic Otitis Media (ear infection)

Ø      Also a history of Chronic Appendicitis

Ø      Both ear drums are perforated, caused by near proximity to shell explosions

Ø      Board recommends surgery to remove Appendix, but soldier expressed a desire to have the surgery performed at his home city of Hamilton Ontario

Ø      His disability is due to war time service

Nov 28, 1918

Discharged from the CEF at Ottawa Ontario 

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued, number not recorded

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge – 511 Cannon St East, Hamilton Ontario

Ø      Rank on discharge – Sgt

Apr 1, 1921

British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at RR# 1, Port Burwell Ontario 

It appears that the medals were returned 

He was also entitled to the 1914-15 Star, but there is no mention in the file as when that was sent

Oct 1, 1921

Medals were resent to Box 156, Tavistock Ontario

Keith Hopkinson served in WW2 with the rank of Sergeant

Nov 7, 1986

Deceased 

Location of death or burial location is unknown at this time, but he was a member of the Lions Head Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, Lions Head, Ontario at the time of his death