Royal Fleet Reserve Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. GV issue first type (283285 PO. B. 1362 W. Hopwood. Sto.1 R.F.R.)

Medal(s) Verification: The Royal Fleet Reserve LS&GC medal confirmed as entitled, and the recipient additionally awarded a 1914-14 Star trio as referenced below:

- 1914-15 Star: ADM 171/105
- British War Medal (Silver issue): ADM 171/105
- Interallied Victory Medal: ADM 171/105
- Royal Fleet Reserve LS&GC Medal: ADM 171/146. Medal was issued to party on 8 October 1925

William Hopwood, was a native of, Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, where he was born on, 5 June 1877. Prior to joining the Royal Navy Edwin had been employed as a 'Boatman'. On 26 August 1896, he joined the Royal Navy, at which time he was rated Stoker 2nd Class. Amongst the ships he served on in the Victorian & Edwardian era, were H.M.S. Crescent (an Edgar-class Protected Cruiser) and H.M.S. Gladiator (a Second-class protected cruiser). During the Great War, William served aboard H.M.S. Vindictive (an Arrogant-class Cruiser) on two separate postings, firstly, 2 August 1914 to 30 June 1916 - during which time the Vindictive captured 2 x German merchantmen 'Schlesien' and 'Slawentzitz' on 7 August & 8 September 1914: Secondly, he served on 'Vindictive, 27 September 1916 to 12 December 1917. During the last year of the Great War, William served aboard H.M.S. Seahorse (was a Royal Navy fleet tug, tender and survey ship built in 1880) 9 January 1918 to 26 July 1918

H.M.S. Vindictive: In August 1914 she was assigned to the 9th Cruiser Squadron and captured the German merchantmen Schlesien and Slawentzitz on 7 August and 8 September respectively. In 1915 she was stationed on the southeast coast of South America. From 1916 to late 1917 she served in the Russian Theatre / White Sea

The recipients service sheet is extant and accessible at The National Archives

Condition: VF

Code: 25555