Gnr R. Hopkins, No.2 Commando 5 Troop

The name of this man was initially not known but with the help of Des Rochford and Eric Buckmaster, both veterans of No.2 we now have his name. Eric mentions the following about him, " He is Gunner R. Hopkins. I am not certain whether he joined us on Vis, or at Monopoli. But I do remember him clearly, although I was not involved with him personally. It seems that Hopkins joined the Royal Horse Artillery as a Regular before the War. He took Part in the Coronation Parade, I assume of King George V1. His Unit ( Battery of 2 Pounder ) Anti Tank Guns, were hammered to bits in Tunisia, only 6 of them survived, and he was determined to avenge his lost comrades. Hence he joined us. Among others he shot and killed the German Officer who was trying to “Blow Up” a bridge at Comacchio. He used to “notch ” the butt of his Snipers Rifle when he had a “success”.

He was Discharged at the End of the war, but it was then discovered that he had signed on originally for 12 years, so he was recalled to the Colours. Whilst demonstrating “ Unarmed Combat ” he fell and broke his his arm. In Hospital he met and married a Nurse. When Desmond last heard from him, he was posted to Germany." Photo cropped from another sent courtesy of Yvonne McCulloch.