Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘Italian theatre’ Immediate M.M. group of seven awarded to Private John Hopkins, 7th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, late The Queen’s Regiment, for gallantry in attempting to save two badly wounded men under enemy fire

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (5384688 Pte. J. Hopkins. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) mounted on original investiture pin; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (5384688 Pte. J. Hopkins (M.M.) Queens.) nearly extremely fine £800-£1,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum.

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M.M. London Gazette 13 January 1944. The recommendation states:

‘Pte. Hopkins was a stretcher bearer in A Coy on morning of 16 September when heavy mortaring caught a section on a forward area, killing four outright and seriously wounding two others. Despite the fact that this crest was under aimed MG fire Pte. Hopkins crawled forward alone to the two wounded men and remaining under fire did what he could do to allay their suffering and bring them to safety. After a time it became clear to him that he could do nothing more to save them. They died before he left them. He had shown the utmost courage in going forward to them, and though his efforts were of no avail, they are deserving of the highest credit.’

Sold with OBLI cap badge and copied recommendation.