Fred Holmes Hopkins
Frederick Holmes Hopkins was born 31 October 1880 in Lindsay ON. His parents, Judge G.H. and Rose Hopkins of Lindsay ON had 4 boys in total, with Fred being the oldest. Their youngest son, Carlton, passed away at age 8 of appendicitis.
The Hopkins family placed a high value on education, with all their living children achieving professional careers. Fred went through the University of Toronto and then into Osgoode Hall before starting a law firm with his father, and his brothers Robert and Bruce were an electrical engineer and doctor respectively.
After first serving with the 45th Victoria Regiment as a Major, Fred enlisted on 22 September 1914 in Valcartier with the 14th Battalion Royal Montreal Regiment, and was amongst the first wave of Canadians to arrive in France. He served for short time in France at the front, and reported in letters home that he had spent time on the front lines, having “shot at the Germans from the 40 yard trench and was sniped at several times..” He became ill, was hospitalized in England and when he had recovered, was attached to the Canadian Headquarters staff at Folkestone as the Chief Compensation Officer.
On 30 January 1916, Fred and his younger brother Robert, who was also serving as an officer in England, were travelling to visit family in Arundel, near Worthing, England, when the car skidded out of control, killing Fred and injuring Robert.
Fred Hopkins was returned to Canada after his death and buried with full military honours in Riverside Cemetery, Lindsay ON. He was 35 years old.
