Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Lieutenant-Colonel N. J. Hopkins, Royal Engineers, who was wounded at Caudry on 26 August 1914

1914 Star, with clasp (Major N. J. Hopkins. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major N. J. Hopkins.); Defence Medal; France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver and enamel, mounted for wear, good very fine (5) £200-£240

This lot is to be sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Lieutenant-Colonel Edward De Santis.

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Norman John Hopkins was born in Richmond, Surrey, the son of Captain John Hopkins, 49th Regiment of Foot, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers from the Royal Military Academy on 14 February 1890. He spent the next two and a half years at the School of Military Engineering at Chatham, and was awarded the Fowke Memorial Medal. He was promoted Lieutenant on 14 February 1893, before proceeding to Hythe for training at the School of Musketry. Promoted Captain on 14 February 1901, and Major on 14 February 1910, he served as Officer Commanding, 56th Field Company, during the Great War on the Western Front from 17 August 1914, and was wounded at Caudry on 26 August 1914. Evacuated back to England, he was posted to the Royal Engineers Mounted Training Depot as its Commander, with the rank of temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, before being appointed Officer Commanding, Royal Engineers in Malta. For his services during the Great War he was appointed a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour (London Gazette 18 August 1918). He retired with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on 4 July 1923, and died in Crondall, Hampshire, on 31 October 1954.

M.I.D. unconfirmed.

Sold with a photographic image of the recipient.