151817, Pilot Officer, Frederick W. HOPKINSON
Aged 20
medals not known
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died on Friday 28th May 1943
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Born in Q1-1923 [Halifax 9a:599] Son of Frederick and Elizabeth HOPKINSON (née GAYNOR) of Buttershaw, Bradford, Yorkshire.
He was one of the family that owned the Hopkinson's laundry in Exeter Road, Newmarket for many years.
Not identified in 1939 register. His parents lived at 9 Queen Street, Buttershaw, Bradford at the time of Fred's death. |
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Thanks to Ray Martinson for his assistance in the details below
Frederick was killed in a flying accident at No 1, Central Flying School, Trenton, Ontario, Canada It was a Harvard Mk IIB aircraft he was flying in, with Pilot Officer Kenneth Ford (RCAF, from Chicago), at Murray, Ontario RG24-E-14. File number: 1300-FE553-1. Microfilm reel number: C-5937. P/O Kenneth US From Chicago. Born in 1920 Trainee at 1 Flying Instructor School On 28 May 1943 P/O K Ford and P/O F Hopkinson flew Harvard FE553 for a training sortie they crashed in Murray Township. The enquiry was told that P/O Ford had a reputation for reckless flying, whereas P/O Hopkinson was recorded as conscientious and an excellent pilot. Both were under training as instructors, Fred having 243 hours, including 132 on Harvards. Observed to be low flying "contour chasing" and even rolling and diving at low altitude until it finally crashed near the Trent River, 12 miles NW of Trenton, killing both men. Not enough evidence to say who was actually pilot at the time, Ford was in front seat, Hopkinson in rear |
photo : Geof Whyght via Findagrave.com
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