NAME IN DESPATCHES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15998, 17 August 1915, Page 8

NAME IN DESPATCHES.

DEATH OF PRIVATE HOPKINS.

TRIBUTE OF AX OFFICER

Particulars of the circumstances under which Private Richard Hopkins. Divisional Signal Service, was fatally wounded have been received by his father, Captain Charles Hopkins, from Lieutenant A. K. Alexander, officer commanding the brigade signal section. A casualty list issued on June 14 reported that Private Hopkins had died of wounds on June 2, but news of his death had evidently not reached his commanding officer when he wrote on June 12.

Your son Richard was proceeding with an advance party,'' Lieutenant Alexander wrote. " which 1 had sent on to prepare the bivouacs for the remainder of the section in a new piece of civuntrv. As they were leaving the sap. by whicfi they were to reach the new post, your son was shot in the head. Everything possible was done for him then, and he was removed to the hospital almost immediately. The lust news I received of him was to the effect that it was a serious wound, but the medical men hoped he would pull through. "The remainder of the section feel his loss very keenly, as he was immensely popular with all with whom he came in contact, and personally T know 1 have lost one of my most valuable men. I had his nime specially mentioned in despatches for excellent done on the nights of May 2 and 5, and his loss to me is serious, as he was a good soldier and a brave man. and always carried out his work cheerfully and well." Lieutenant Alexander concluded his letter with an expression of sympathy from himself and his section. Private Hopkins enlisted in the Auckland Infantry Battalion, and was later transferred to the Engineers. He was a chief officer in the employ of the Northern company when lie enlisted, and was well-known as an officer on the Manaia, Ngapuhi, and other vessels. He was a member of the Wait-emata troop of the Legion of Frontiersmen and hon. secretary of the troop.