The Robert Barltrop Collection of Medals to the Manchester Regiment

Pair: Private J. Hopkins, Manchester Regiment, who was awarded the Royal Humane Society’s Bronze Medal for saving the life of a 13-year-old boy who had fallen through the ice at Chadwick Dams Reservoir in December 1885

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen, South Africa 1901, unofficial rivets between third and fourth clasps, with clasp facings a little distorted (2376 Pte. J. Hopkins. Manch: Regt.); Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (John Hopkins. 13 December 1885) the medal silvered and lacking integral top riband buckle, mounted court-style for display, minor edge bruising, very fine (2) £200-£240

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Robert Barltrop Collection of Medals to the Manchester Regiment.

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John Hopkins was born at Stalybridge, Lancashire, about September 1870. At the age of 16 he was a mill worker, residing at Caroline Street, Stalybridge. On Sunday 13 December 1885 several persons had ventured on to the ice at the local mill reservoir, known as Chadwick Dams. 13-year-old Levi Gawthorp fell through the ice when skating; at great personal danger John Hopkins crawled on to the ice on his stomach and helped him out of the water. The local Stalybridge Reporter of 19 December reported on the incident and stated that the rescue deserved public recognition. John Hopkins’s bravery was recognised by the award of the Royal Humane Society and he was awarded the society’s medal in bronze. (R.H.S. Case No. 22,978).

At the age of 18, John Hopkins attested for service in the Manchester Regiment at Ashton Under Lyne on 1 October 1888, stating prior service in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion of the Royal Lancaster Regiment. In February 1892 he transferred to the 2nd Battalion of his regiment and embarked for India. He returned to the U.K. at the end of his period of service and was transferred to the Army Reserve. However, he reenlisted on 7 July 1898, and was posted back to 2nd Battalion. His battalion was mobilised for service in the South African War and embarked from Southampton on 16 March 1900. Private Hopkins returned to the U.K., arriving on 24 October 1901, and was discharged from the army, medically unfit, on 2 April 1902.

Hopkins volunteered for service following the outbreak of the Great War at the age of 44 years, serving at ‘home’ in 3/5th Battalion King’s Regiment and later 315 Provisional Company Royal Defence Corps, until discharged on 10 October 1916 ‘no longer physically fit for war service’.

Sold with copied service papers and other research.