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Hopley, Albert Frederick

Date of birth:
April 1st, 1923 (Toronto, Canada)
Date of death:
May 14th, 1943 (Nederhorst den Berg, the Netherlands)
Buried on:
Commonwealth War Graves Oud-Leusden (Rusthof)
Plot: 13. Row: 6. Grave: 122.
Service number:
R/136282
Nationality:
Canadian (1931-present, Constitutional Monarchy)

Biography

Albert was born on April 1 1923 in Toronto, the son of Frederick Henry Hopley and Margaret Brown Hopley nee Brown (Scottish), of Humber Bay, Ontario. They were married on August 21 1920 in Toronto. His brother was Gordon James Hopley.

He was a stock keeper and member of the Baptist Church. He spoke good English and fair French and his sports were rugby, baseball and hockey.

He enlisted on October 22 1941 in Toronto and he went thereafter on November 5 1942 overseas to the UK.

Albert was killed in action on Friday May 14 1943 age 20 due to a crash at the Vreelandseweg near Nederhorst den Berg before or after an attack on Bochum in Germany. His other fallen RCAF crew members were F/Sgt Joseph P. Ethier age 24 in grave 13-6-123, F/Sgt James A. Thomson age 20 in grave 13-6-121 and F/Sgt Thomas F. How age 25 in grave 13-6- 124. The fallen RAF Volunteer Reserve crew member was Sgt Norman Hudspith age 22 in grave 13-6-120.

On his headstone: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD IN LOVING MEMORY. MUM DAD AND BROTHER GORDON

A monument for the 5 fallen crew members was unveiled in September 2019 by family members in Nederhorst den Berg, Holland.

He served with the 426 Thunderbird Sqdn Royal Canadian Air Force.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 14th, 1942
Navigator Badge
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flight Sergeant
Unit:
No. 426 (Thunderbird) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
Awarded on:
July 5th, 1946
"In recognition of gallant service in action against the enemy."

Posthumously awarded
RCAF Operational Wings

Sources