Able Seaman William James Hopkins was born 26 April 1905 in Stratford, London. He was a son of Edward and Elizabeth Hopkins. His father was a mason and he was baptised on 17 May 1905 at St Aidan's Church, Stratford.
On 26 February 1921, aged 15 years, he joined the Royal Navy, service number P/J101323, and was rated as a Boy II, joining HMS Ganges. Promoted to Boy I on 9 October 1921 he was transferred to HMS Dolphin, the submarine training establishment. He was made an Ordinary Seaman on 26 April 1923, his eighteen birthday, when he signed on for 12 years service and became an Able Seaman on 13 December 1923.
On 4 December 1926 he married Elizabeth Margaret Roberts (1903-1973) at St Andrew's Church, Viaduct Street, Tower Hamlets. The marriage register describes him as an Able Seaman and his wife as a dressmaker and both their addresses were recorded as 292 Corfield Street, Bethnal Green. Their daughter, Iris Lilian E. Hopkins (1928-2002), was born on 12 December 1928 and her birth was registered in the Bethnal Green registration district. Electoral registers from 1929 to 1938 show him and his wife listed at 76 Corfield Street, Bethnal Green.
He left the Royal Navy after twelve years service and was placed on their reserve list. He was appointed as a postman in the London Postal Region on 17 January 1938 and this was confirmed in the London Gazette on 10 May 1938.
He rejoined the Royal Navy when World War Two was imminent and was posted to HM Submarine Oxley. On 11 September 1939 he had been a 'lookout' who was relieved by another able seaman shortly before his submarine was hit by a torpedo from HM Submarine Triton off Obrestad, Rogaland, Norway and sank. This was the first submarine that was sunk during the war and the circumstances of the loss from friendly fire were withheld from the public for many years. Of the crew of 55, only two persons were rescued. He died, aged 34 years, and as he has no known grave he is commemorated in Column 3, on Panel 33 of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea, PO5 3NT. When the England and Wales Register was compiled on 29 September 1939 it showed his wife and daughter residing at 72 St Helier Avenue, Morden, Surrey.
He is also commemorated on one of the stones of the Dundee International Submarine Memorial, at H.M.S. Ambrose, Camperdown Street, Dundee Harbour, Dundee, Tayside, DD1 3HZ, and on Page 124 of the Post Office Fellowship of Remembrance World War Two Memorial Book.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
