A World Wars campaign, civil defence & Special Constabulary medal group of 4: Special Constable William Frederick John Hopkins, 'Bath', Somerset, Special Constabulary late 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment and 2/4th Bn Royal Berkshire Regiment

- British War Medal. Silver issue (45798 Pte. W.F.J. Hopkins. Hamps R.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (45798 Pte. W.F.J. Hopkins. Hamps R.)
- Defence Medal:
- Special Constabulary LSM. GVI 1st issue with 2 x clasps 'LS 1948' & 'LS 1949' (William F. J. Hopkins)

Sold together with:

- 2 x sets of silk riband bars, as worn on pin-back mounts pre 1939 (pair) and post 1948 (four ribbons with 2 x rosettes)

- 2 x original named card boxes of issue for Great War pair, and SCLSM, this latter showing force as 'Bath'

- Original medal transmittal letter for Great War pair this dated 26 July 1921

- Original Registered envelope for the Great War pair, addressed to Mr. W. F. J. Hopkins, 31 Paragon, Bath

- Hampshire Regiment cap badge as worn in Great War. Bi-metal retaining its original crimped slider on reverse

- Royal Berkshire Regiment cap badge, as worn in Great War. Gilding metal retaining its original crimped slider, this latter with recipients etched initials 'W F J H' (3rd letter rubbed)

Medals verification: The Second World War and Special Constabulary medal rolls are not yet in the public domain, however entitlement to all 4 x medals is confirmed per below following cited medal rolls and other reference sources:

- British War Medal. Silver issue: WO 329/1440 medal
- Interallied Victory Medal: WO 329/1440 medal roll compiled Warwick, 17 September 1920
- Defence Medal: 1939 National Register confirms recipient as a 'Special' Bath
- Special Constabulary LSM: Ditto above reference, and card box of issue for SCLSM

William Frederick John Hopkins, son of Willie Parker Hopkins (a Gardener / Greenman at Golf Club) and Aline Hopkins (nee Barnes) was a native of, Batheaston. Somerset, England, where he was born on 19 May 1899. At the time of the 1911 National Census for England and Wales, William is shown living with his parents at their residence located at, Sham Castle Cottage, Bathwick, England. At the outbreak of the Great War, William was just 15 years of age. He served in the British Army overseas in France & Flanders with the British Expeditionary Force. He first entered theatre of war, France, serving with 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment (No. 45798). He subsequently transferred to 2/4th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (No. 44252). In the immediate post-war years, following his discharge from the British Army, William returned to his roots in Somerset, where in 1919, he married Ellen Maud Louisa Annie Collier, at, Keynsham, Somerset.Bath, in, 1919. At the time of the compilation of the 1939 National Register for England & Wales, William is recorded employed as a 'Plumber & Gas Fitter (Own Account), living with his wife and children at their residence located at, 1 Castle View, Bath. Somerset. Under the remarks column in the 1939 Register, William is shown as being a member of the Bath City Special Constabulary, as Constable No 17. William F. .J. Hopkins, is recorded to have died at, Bath, on, 17 August 1985

All medals fitted with their original silk ribands. The Great War pair mounted in the swing-style and as-worn suspended from a medal mounting bar that retains its long hinged pin and clasp fittings. The later medals with loose ribands, the SCLSM with clasps stitched to riband

Condition: Great War medals GVF others EF

Code: 24339