Alan James Hopkins was born on 14 February 1893 in Highgate, Middlesex (now Greater London), the second of the six children of Arthur James Hopkins (1861-1928) and Rosa Hopkins née Seelly (1867-1950). His birth was registered in the 1st quarter of 1893 in the Edmonton Registration District, Middlesex (now Greater London).
He is shown as aged 8 years and attending school on the census that was undertaken on 31 March 1901. He was living at 22 Orchard Road, Highgate, with his parents, his three siblings: Francis Arthur Hopkins (1891-1971); Edith Hopkins (1895-1974) both of whom were also described as attending school and John Dudley Hopkins (1901-1966), his paternal uncle Richard Hopkins (b.1874) - a compositor, together with a female monthly nurse. His father was listed as a coachsmith.
He was described as aged 18 years and a clerk employed by a table glass exporter on the census return form completed by his father on 2 April 1911. He was living in a seven roomed property at 46 Cromwell Avenue, Highgate, with his parents and his five siblings: Francis Arthur Hopkins - a Metropolitan Police clerk; Edith Hopkins - a scholar; Cecil William Hopkins (1897-1972) - a scholar; John Dudley Hopkins - a scholar and Clara Hopkins (1903-1982) - also a scholar, together with his maternal aunt Clara Seelly (1853-1916) - a sick nurse. His father listed himself again as a coachsmith and confirmed that his wife had given birth to six children who were all still alive.
He enlisted as a Private in the Bedfordshire Regiment at St Paul's Churchyard, London, service number 12379 and was serving in 'C' Company, 6th Battalion, when he died of pneumonia, aged 22 years, on 18 March 1915 at Frensham Hill Military Hospital, Farnham, Surrey. His death was registered, incorrectly as aged 21 years, in the 1st quarter of 1915 in the Farnham Registration District, Surrey. His body was , in the Aldershot Military Cemetery, Ordnance Road, Aldershot, GU11 2DD.
On 15 September 1915 his army effects totalling £2-15s-3d were sent to his father who was also sent his £3-0s-0d war gratuity on 3 September 1919.
He is shown as "ALAN J. HOPKINS" on the Highgate Camp war memorial attached to the wall at 107 Swain's Lane, London, N6 and as "ALAN HOPKINS" on the Highgate United Reform Church war memorial at Pond Square, London, N6. He is also commemorated on the , on the , on the and on the .
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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