Richard Donald Buchanan Hopkins

[keith A]

This pilot commanded 1837 (1943-44) and 1834 Squadron (HMS Victorious) 1944-45. He was killed in 1945 with at least one or two aerial kiils and some ground target victories. Both flew the Corsair fighter.

I would like to know how and when he transferred to the RAF. I have no information on his life (where he was born and his civilian life) before he obtained Sub-Lieutenant(A) in November 1940. But his earlier career is unlucky. He was flying Beaufighters with 252 Squadron RAF when he was interned in French Morocco in late 1941, being released in 1942. When did he join 252 Squadron? Also why wad he streamed to join a twin-engine/light bomber unit.

He was Sub Lieutenant (A) on 28 November 1940 and reached Lieutenant rank 14 September 1942 (while he was POW?). On 15 March 1943 Hopkins was in HMS Heron (RNAS Yeovilton). After which he took command of 1837 Squadron.

best regards

Keith



best regards

Keith.

[Alex Smart]

From what I saw in the ORB's available.
It would look like he was always a Fleet Air Arm Officer, never RAF.
Always listed as S/Lt.
In September 1940 he was with 150 Sqdn flew Battle L5548 on the 16th.
On the 27th September he was transferred to 226 Sqdn where he flew Battle L5826 . Transferred to 252 Sqdn in early December 1941.

[twocee]

Keith,

Hopkins is not listed as a CO of 1837 Sqdn. in the Sturtivant FAA Squadrons book. What is your source for this?

He was commander of 1834 until 26 April 1945. Do you know the date and cause of death?

[Bruce Lander]

Hopkins is covered in some detail in "The Forgotten Fleet by John Winton which is still probably the Best account of the FAA in the Far East in 1944/45
Copy on ebay at under £10.00 at the moment.

[keith A]

My bad, according to the RN archive Hopkins was with 1837 squadron in 1944, I am looking into the squadron commander. I think I got his 1837 squadron from the Navy List of 1943. As I stated he was never an RAF officer at any time but seconded to the RAF. However several RNVR pilots found themselves in RAF squadrons. His appearance in 150 and 226 squadrons is interesting. Neither was operational flying Fairey Battles in late 1940, did he serve with 150 squadron in the AAF in the Battle of France (as a Midshipman?) and his period with 252 squadron appears to have been very short and unsuccessful.

Many thanks I shall search the ORBs of 150, 226 and 252 squadrons for more info.

best regards

Keith

[twocee]

Is he mentioned on any pages of Winton, apart from 82 and 91, showing the Palembang OOBs?

[dp_burke]

Was he killed in 1945? I don't see him on CWGC database and his name appears in the Navy lists as late as 1947.

In Dec 1959, one Richard D B HOPKINS, arrived in New York on a BOAC flight from London.
His arrival card records the following:

Nationality: Canadian
Birthdate Nov 28 1919
Birthplace: Wicklow, Ireland
Permanent address: Brantford, Ontario

Obituary 1974
The Province newspaper
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada · Tuesday, October 22, 1974

HOPKINS Richard Donald Buchanan of 500-55th Tsawwassen, aged 54 years, suddenly on October 16, 1974, in Maraciabo, Venezuela. Survived by his loving wife, Dorothy; his mother Eleanor; 2 sons, Michael and Patrick; 3 daughters, Patricia, Valerie Ringland, Qnd Tracey Read; 3 grandchildren; 2 brothers and 1 sister. A private family service was held on Monday, October 21st in the chapel of the DELTA FUNERAL HOME, 5329 Ladner Trunk Rev. R.

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From a family tree online and the Irish birth register, parents were GArnet Buchanan HOPKINS and Eleanor CONNELL.

[dp_burke]

The Evening Express of Liverpool, 30 Oct 1950 reported on a court case involving Mr Hopkins.

MR JUSTICE PILCHER in the Divorce Court, London, today with the greatest reluctance refused a decree to a London woman who he said had been shamefully wronged and cruelly tricked by her husband.

Mrs Barbara Henden Hopkins of Bishops Court, East Finchley London asked for divorce on the ground of cruelty and alleged desertion by her husband Mr Richard Donald Buchanan Hopkins now living in Toronto, Canada, and formerly an English Fleet Air Arm Lieutenant. His Lordship found that the cruelty was proved but decided he could not grant a decree because the husband was domiciled in Canada and was not within the jurisdiction of the court.

In his reserved judgment Mr Justice Pilcher said Mr and Mrs Hopkins were married in 1943 when he was 23 and she 20. In 1945 he returned from overseas service and worked at the Admiralty.

Mr Hopkins was clearly a man of domineering demeanour and from 1945 onwards frequently treated his wife with physical violence. The judge was satisfied he was a man who was prepared to slap and punch her and he acquired complete ascendancy over her. By February, 1949, all the spirit had been knocked out of her.

After leaving the Fleet Air Arm Mr Hopkins went into his father's business but in 1948 decided to go abroad. It was arranged he should go alone to Canada in February, 1949, to find out what opportunities were there.

Mrs Hopkins began divorce proceedings after he left for Canada, said the Judge, but at the end of March he returned to England and "bombarded her with affection and remorse for 10 days". She gave in, and they lived together again.

#################
This newspaper didn't go on to further report that he brought his wife to Canada, then sent her back to collect the children but had already had his mother bring the children to Canada without their mothers knowledge.

it was reported on widely in 1950 and again in 1953 when she finally was granted the divorce. The children however remained in Canada.

[keith A]

Interesting replies, thanks chaps

[Tom Semenza]

Keith,

From the 252 Sqn ORB:

Posted in from 226 Sqn. 9 Dec. 1940 and posted out on 27 Apr. 1941, when he force-landed in Casablanca enroute to Gibraltar.

From Sturtivant's Squadons of the Fleet Air Arm:

Appointed OC 1834 Sqn. 10 Oct. 1944 until 26 Apr. 1945.

Regards,

Tom