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Reginald was the son of William HOPCRAFT & Emma BAKER and was born on the 13th of May 1890 in Mount Monster, near Keith, SA.

His parents were married on the 9th of October 1883 in Adelaide, SA.

His father was the son of William HOPCRAFT & Mary MORGAN and was born on the 4th of December 1857 in Glenelg, SA.

His mother was the daughter of Timothy BAKER & Elizabeth Esther DAWES and was born on the 8th of May 1862 in Lyndoch Valley, SA.

Reginald was the third child born into the family of 7 children; 6 boys, 1 girl.

His father was employed as a ganger and was in charge of the permanent way gang with the South Australian Railways and the Hopcraft family moved quite often following his father’s employment.

Reginald’s 2 elder brothers had been born in Glenelg before the family moved to Mount Monster, near Keith where Reginald was born.

After 2 years they were transferred to Wirrega, Wellington and Reginald gained another brother, Leslie in March 1892.

By the following year they had moved to Murray Bridge where Reginald gained another brother; Arthur Murray, on the 19th of October 1893. The Muriel May was born on the 4th of May 1896.

In August 1897 the family was transferred to the Bugle Ranges Station and Reginald and his siblings attended the Bugle Ranges School.

They remained here for a few years before moving to Hawker where Reginald’s last sibling was born in July 1902.

They were then transferred to Morgan for 6 years in 1906 and in July 1912 they were transferred to Aberdeen, near Burra and his father was in charge of the maintenance branch.

After completing his schooling Reginald gained employment as a labourer.

With the outbreak of WW1 his brother Arthur Murray, enlisted into the 3rd Light Horse Regiment, 5th Reinforcements on the 28th of November 1914 (944).

He embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT A59 Botanist on the 2nd of June 1915.

At the age of 25, Reginald enlisted into the 1st AIF on the 15th of February 1916 in Burra.

On the 1st of March he was transferred to D Company and then 6 days later he was transferred to the newly raised 43rd Battalion at Morphettville Camp.

Reginald embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT A19 Afric at 2pm on the 9th of June 1916 and Reginald now realised that this was the commencement of the long, long trail, the end of which none could foretell.

Reginald served on the Western Front and whilst on leave he married Minnie Mary LITTLE on the 18th of January 1919 in St Barnabas Church, Clapham Common, Surrey, England.

Minnie was the daughter of Charles James LITTLE & Jane KNELL and was born in 1885 in Finsbury, England.

At the time of their marriage she was living at 8 Bowood Road, Clapham.

On the 23rd of July 1919 Reginald and his new wife embarked for Australian on board HT Canberra, disembarking in Adelaide on the 9th of September.

Reginald had only been home for 7 weeks when his father died on the 27th of October 1919. He had fallen off his tricycle at a crossing 4 miles north of Burra and he was already dead when the goods train found him.

On Thursday evening, the 18th of September, a welcome home social was held in the Jubilee Hall at Burra for Reginald and his brother.

Reginald was discharged from the AIF on the 7th of February 1920.

They moved to Hamley Bridge and welcomed their first child; Douglas Reginald, on the 21st of April 1922. – WW2 - SX31550

Reginald was a member of the Hamley Bridge RSL Sub-Branch and on ANZAC Day 1934 Reginald placed a wreath on the Hamley Bridge Soldiers Memorial on behalf of the Hamley Bridge RSSILA.

By the late 1930’s they had moved to 78 Hampton Street, Goodwood and Reginald had gained employment as a Hospital Porter.

By 1943 they had moved to 12 Victoria Street, Goodwood and then their son Douglas enlisted into the 2/27th Battalion on the 12th of July 1943.

On the 22nd of November 1947 their son married Joan WEBSTER in St Margaret’s Church, Woodville.

Reginald died on the 15th of November 1968 and was buried in the Centennial Park Cemetery on the 18th; Derrick Gardens, Path 10, Plot 668A.

Minnie died on the 1st of August 1976.

Military

At the age of 25, Reginald enlisted into the 1st AIF on the 15th of February 1916 in Burra and was allotted the service number 687 and posted to E Company, 2nd Depot Battalion at Exhibition Camp (Jubilee Oval).

He listed his father, of Aberdeen, Burra, as his next of kin.

On the 1st of March he was transferred to D Company and then 6 days later he was transferred to the newly raised 43rd Battalion at Morphettville Camp.

The Battalion consisted of men who had but recently enlisted, and were practically raw recruits, most of whom had joined up in January and February.

Early in April musketry was commenced throughout the Battalion with each section forming a separate squad and undergoing ten days progressive instruction in the art of handling the rifle, the course being completed by the firing of an application and grouping practice on the miniature range in the dry bed of the Sturt River.

An open range was prepared in the sand hills between Glenelg and Henley, where for two days portions of the Battalion were engaged with the service rifle; but the working of these targets proved so slow and tedious that arrangements were made to secure the use of the butts at Port Adelaide, special trains conveying the troops to and from this place. Two complete days firing was given to each company, during which grouping, application, snap shooting, and rapid practices at 100, 200, and 300 yards were completed.

Reginald gained four days leave, known as "long leave," on the 19th and this embraced the Easter Holidays, this being the last furlough granted prior to the Battalion's departure from Australia. The free weekends still being maintained and to those living within thirty miles of Adelaide, when desired, was extended to Monday morning.

The Battalion attended a number of functions and ceremonies, chief among which were the presentation of colours at Glenelg, the Military Tattoo on the Jubilee Oval, and the farewell dinner provided in the Exhibition Building by the Cheer-up Society; while occasional trips to the theatre were arranged, special trains usually being provided for the conveyance of the Unit to and from Morphettville. A certain amount of amusement was supplied within the camp on several occasions by concert parties.

During the whole period of training, equipment and clothing were gradually issued and they were fitted out for departure, signing for every article received and having numerous inspections to ascertain what shortages existed. The health of the men also received continuous attention, vaccination and two inoculations being administered in the early days, while dental inspections and subsequent treatment rectified any defects of the mouth.

The first week of June was spent in final preparations to embark on the 9th of June, the quartermasters and clerical departments being the most busily engaged. A final pay was drawn and as much leave as possible granted and by the 8th all preparations for embarkation had been completed, and the transport section had left for the Outer Harbour.

Dawn of June 9th was breaking behind the Mount Lofty Ranges when reveille sounded, rousing the whole camp to the activities of final preparations for departure, including the handing in of camp equipment and stores.

At 9.40 a.m. the first train, bearing Headquarters and A and B Companies, left Morphettville Station followed half-an-hour later by a second train with the remainder of the Battalion.

On reaching Port Adelaide the train proceeded by the old route down St. Vincent Street, where a large and enthusiastic crowd assembled to bid farewell to the unit. An hour later the Outer Harbour was reached and there followed a rapid embarkation on board their transport, HMAT A19 Afric.

Reginald embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT A19 Afric at 2pm on the 9th of June 1916 and Reginald now realised that this was the commencement of the long, long trail, the end of which none could foretell.

The journey through The Bight was cold and rough, causing sickness to 70 per cent of the men. Land was first sighted at daybreak of the 13th of June and after passing through King George Sound they anchored in Albany Harbour at 11.30 am, when coaling immediately commenced.

The next day the boat drew alongside the wharf, and all were allowed ashore for a few hours.

At noon the same day the journey was resumed and soon the shores of Reginald’s homeland receded from view.

That night it was learnt that the next port of call would be Colombo. As the result of a long period of calm weather that followed the departure from Albany, it was possible to conduct training, consisting of musketry, physical exercises, bayonet fighting, and boat drill, limited in extent by the small area of deck space available.

As the tropics were approached, permission to sleep on deck was granted, and a large majority, including Reginald availed themselves of the privilege. By day a minimum amount of clothing was worn, the heavier uniform being abandoned for the lighter and more comfortable suit of dungarees.

Early on the morning of June 26th the island of Ceylon was sighted and by 10 a.m. the transport anchored in the harbour of Colombo. Coal barges were soon drawn along side the boat and coaling operations, conducted by the natives, commenced.

That afternoon they were taken ashore on lighters and marched to the military barracks in Colombo. There a wet canteen was placed at the disposal of the troops and native vendors of views, fruit, etc., offered their goods. As this was the first opportunity for some weeks of purchasing articles from other than the ship's canteen a brisk business resulted.

The following day the journey resumed at 3.45 p.m.

The voyage to Suez differed very little from the previous fortnight, except that during the four days in the Red Sea extreme heat was experienced, causing exhaustion to several of the stokers, whose work was undertaken for two days by volunteers from the troops.

By noon of July 11th Suez was reached and all preparations for disembarkation were completed.

Orders were, however, received from the military authorities that the journey was to be continued through the Mediterranean and at 4 pm an entrance was made into the Canal, the interesting surroundings of which attracted attention for sixteen hours. Along the bank were encamped Australian and English troops, who formed a portion of the Canal Garrison. An opportunity to converse with some of these was afforded by the boat being delayed for an hour at Ismalia.

By 8.30 am on the 12th the Canal was cleared and entry made into Port Said, where a transport conveying English troops southward was passed. Natives were again employed in coaling, which caused much inconvenience to those on board, as no leave ashore was granted. Numerous hawkers in small dinghies visited the boat, but not being allowed on deck were obliged to transact their sales by means of rope and basket.

Here an A 4.7 naval gun was mounted aft and manned by Royal Navy gunners and on departure at 2pm on the 13th, H.M. destroyer "Telmar," which had seen service with the Australians on Gallipoli, acted as their escort. These protective measures against submarines were augmented by the pre cautions of constant changes of course, screening of lights, and increase of sentries, whose duty was the outlook for enemy craft.

On passing Malta, the "Telmar" was relieved by a larger destroyer, but before departing semaphored "Australians, good-bye and good luck," on receipt of which cheers were interchanged between transport and escort. Daily routine on board continued until Marseilles was approached on the evening of July 19th, when at 10 pm the pilot was taken aboard, but the harbour was not entered until eight o'clock the next morning. This ended a six weeks successful journey on the "Afric".

At 3 pm on July 20th they disembarked and moved to Arran-Point Station, where they immediately entrained and at 5.35 pm left for Havre.

The journey through Southern France was most interesting, new types of villages, cultivation, and railway organisation being introduced. The scenery, especially that of the Rhone Valley, was superb, and the bright mid summer day showed the surroundings at their best.

A halt was made near Avignon, where hot tea and rations were issued, and on resumption of the journey the troops quickly settled down for the night. At 8 am on the 21st the train passed through Lyons, and at 3.45 pm Dijon was reached, and the French Red Cross workers served tea and cake to the Battalion.

Breakfast next morning was partaken of thirteen miles from Paris, Juvisy, from which, after a halt of two hours, the journey continued through Versailles, along the Seine Valley to Nantes, where a break was made for another meal, thence to Rouen and Havre.

Here the Battalion detrained and marched to a Rest Camp, where most of the men spent a cold night on cobbles. The following afternoon embarkation for England took place, and at dusk the Channel transport commenced its six-hour journey, reaching Southampton at daybreak and they disembarked at 7.30 am.

After two hours waiting on the wharf they were entrained for Amesbury Station on Salisbury Plain, where the Battalion detrained. An hour later Lark Hill was reached and the whole afternoon devoted to settling down in No.12 Camp. This was the training area for the 43rd Battalion prior to its departure for the front.

The first few days were spent in settling down in this new camp, which was one of about fifty of similar design located at Lark Hill, most of which were so fitted as to accommodate a complete battalion.

They spent the next few months here in training and towards the end of November, when they had been fully equipped for overseas, a divisional march, covering a distance of eighteen miles, was accomplished, the full issue of clothing and equipment, less blankets, being carried, the day proving most strenuous on account of the oppressive heat.

During the first three weeks of November final preparations and issue of equipment for the trip overseas were completed, and the dates of departure of the Division were expected to cover the last week of November 1916, the 43rd Battalion eventually sailing on the 25th, prior to which the camp was thoroughly cleaned and the bulk of stores returned.

The early morning of November 25th was a repetition of June 9th. For the purpose of the move the Battalion was divided into three parties, leaving Lark Hill Camp in time to entrain at Amesbury Station by 7.15am. The weight of equipment carried by each man was far in excess of that borne on any previous march, as in addition to full marching order, two blankets, 150 rounds of ammunition, with steel and gas helmets, made a burden in all cases exceeding 80 lb.

At dusk the trip across the Channel commenced and a heavy sea was experienced, causing sea sickness to many on board, while a bleak wind with frequent showers of hail made the entry into the harbour at Le Havre and the period of waiting intensely cold.

Disembarkation and unloading commenced at 11 am and during the afternoon there followed the memorable route march to No.1 Rest Camp, situated on a hill about three miles from the wharf. Here they remained for the night, leaving at 6.30am next morning for the railway yards, where a troop train, consisting chiefly of cattle trucks, was waiting, and at 11.30am they left for Bailleul.

The journey, via Rouen, Abbeville, Boulogne, Calais, and St. Omer, occupied thirty hours, halts being made en route for the issue of rations and hot drinks.

Detraining was completed before dark, but by the time the unit moved from the station night had set in. For the march to billets, packs and blankets were carried by motor lorry. Locating these billets caused great difficulty, owing to the lack of information and absence of guides, and it was not until after 10 pm that they were settled for the night.

On December 23rd, in a high wind and through heavy rain, a march to new billets in Armentieres was carried out. They, with the 44th Battalion, formed support to the 41st and 42nd Battalions. Christmas Day 1916 was celebrated in the morning with working parties to the line and in the evening by a dinner, extra supplies being obtained through Comforts and Regimental Funds.

They spent February in and out of the front line and whilst in billets the raiding school continued training in bayonet fighting, physical exercises, patrolling, study of aeroplane photographs and practice of raiding formations on dummy trenches.

On the 29th of April Reginald was promoted to Lance Corporal whilst they were at Ploegsteert Wood, relieving the 42nd Battalion.

On the 1st of May they left Armentieres and joined the remainder of the Brigade at Les Trois Tilleuls, proceeding through Steenwerck and Vieux Berquin to Petit See Bois. The following day they moved through Pradelles, Borre, and Hazebrouck to billets at Ebblinghem.

After 2 weeks here they commenced their journey back to Armentiers and by the 7th of June had moved to Messines and took part in the Battle.

Throughout the whole time in this area enemy aircraft proved exceptionally active, especially in the early morning, when low-flying planes engaged trenches and movement with machine gun fire.

The famous Red Circus, commanded by Baron von Richthoven, was stationed in the area and was a constant source of worry to both infantry and artillery.

As casualties were caused daily, chiefly from shell fire, and the strain of sitting under continuous bombardments told on the nerves of everybody, the relief by the 41st Battalion on July 5th, and the return to the somewhat quieter support area on the banks of the Douve, was truly welcome.

It was 2 days later, on the 7th of July that Reginald was admitted into the 9th Australian Field Ambulance suffering from Nervous exhaustion. He was transferred to the Divisional Rest Camp where he remained for 8 days before rejoining his Battalion in camp on the banks of the Douve.

They then moved into the Warneton area and their objective was Windmill Post which over looked the low ground east of Messines and consisted of the remains of an old French mill, surrounded by tall trees and hedges, situated on Warneton-Gapaard Road.

Having completed their task after many weeks, they was relieved by the 41st Battalion and they moved back by small parties to Douve Camp, at which they arrived in an utterly exhausted condition, were given a hot meal, and, throwing aside their mud-soaked clothing, "turned in" for a well-earned rest.

They remained here resting and training until the 2nd of October when they entrained for Ypres for the offensive.

On the 4th of October they advanced to take up the front line and during this advancement Reginald suffered a Gun Shot Wound to his right thigh and was transferred to the 37th Casualty Clearing Station in Godewaersvelde by the Australian Field Ambulance.

The following day his was transferred by ambulance train to the 26th General Hospital in Etaples.

On the 19th he was evacuated to England and admitted into the Central Military Hospital in Chatham.

After nearly 4 weeks here recovering he was discharged from hospital and granted 2 weeks leave.

On the 1st of December Reginald reported to No.1 Command Depot in Sutton Veny and then on the 9th of January 1918 he was re classified to B1A4 (Fit for Oversees Training Camp) and transferred to Sand Hill Oversees Training Camp in Longbridge Deverill.

Reginald proceeded to France on the 5th of June 1918 and rejoined his Battalion on the 13th who were in the reserve trenches at Villers-Bretonneux.

By the end of June they had moved to Hill 86 and were then relieved on the 27th, moving to the Allonville area the next day to consolidate for the Battle of Hamel.

As the Brigade had not previously worked with tanks, practices were given in advancing with them at their training ground near Vaux en Amenois, where they gained an insight into their tactics and methods of advance.

They then moved into the Hamel area and at two minutes past three on the morning of the 4th of July, light harassing fire was opened, with the object of assisting the aircraft in drowning the noise of approaching tanks, and eight minutes later an intense barrage fire opened, under cover of which the attack commenced.

In two hours, all objectives were obtained, and 1,400 German prisoners were captured, as well as many weapons.

In August and September they helped drive the Germans back to the Hindenburg Line and on the 10th of September Reginald was promoted to Temporary Sergeant for 4 weeks.

On the 3rd of October 1918 they withdrew to an area south-east of Aizecourt Le Haut, where bivouacs were erected and maintained for 2 days and then a march was made to Peronne. They entrained for the back areas of Airaines where billets had been allotted in the village of Metigny.

This was the commencement of the long, hoped-for, rest in back areas and no one could say that it was not well earned. Since moving from Selles the Battalion had never been away from shell-fire, and apart from operating in 11 attacks they had spent 40 days in the front line, 42 in support, and 109 in reserve, during which time its strength, in spite of reinforcements from base, had decreased from 42 officers and 855 other ranks to 37 officers and 420 other ranks.

As their strength and spirit gradually recovered, military training was correspondingly increased, for it had to be realised that at any time the Battalion might be called to the forward areas, and that efficiency must therefore be maintained, although the drill and parade ground exercises had become very irksome after so long a period in the battle zone.

The village of Metigny was a small and dirty place, wherein a very poor type of billets was obtainable, so that on October 21st, after the dissolution of the 42nd Battalion, its village, Vergies, was taken over by the 43rd, providing far more suitable accommodation and possessing environments far superior to those of Metigny.

It was while at this new village that the Armistice was signed on the 11th of November 1918, the Battalion being engaged in firing on the open range on the eventful day, but received no definite information of the cessation of hostilities until the arrival of the daily papers the following day and a holiday being given next day to celebrate the occasion.

From then onwards the hours of training were diminished and combined with the educational scheme that had been instituted for the purpose of preparing the soldiers for their civil occupations, these classes growing until they formed the chief work of the Battalion, embracing practically all branches of trades and professions, either within the unit, at Corps Schools in France, or private enterprises in England.

They then moved onto Ramburelles, where quarters were to be occupied until demobilisation, extensive improvements being carried out to permit of the greatest possible comfort during the tedious months of waiting for return to Australia.

On the arrival at Ramburelles the inhabitants exhibited a general hostile attitude towards the Battalion and were unwilling to assist in any way towards the comfort of the men.

After settling down in new quarters, arrangements were made for the Christmas dinner 1918 that was to be held in the marquee erected on the village reserve, the meal consisting of turkey, ham, vegetables, plum pudding, wine and beer, being served on the afternoon of the 25th, officers and sergeants acting as waiters. As on the previous festive occasion, the expense of the dinner was borne by proceeds of the labours of the 43rd Trench Comforts Society of South Australia.

On the 13th of January 1919 Reginald gained 2 weeks leave and married Minnie Mary LITTLE on the 18th of January 1919 in St Barnabas Church, Clapham Common, Surrey, England, before returning to his Battalion.

In order to maintain health, discipline, and fitness, a limited amount of drill was still undertaken, while recreation formed a very large portion of the daily routine, cross-country runs, football, or walking matches taking place each day when weather permitted.

For the purpose of occupying the long winter evenings, indoor games, cards, draughts, and chess were run on organised lines, lectures and discussions were arranged, and concert parties and pierrot troupes procured when available, while the addition of warm Nissen huts and fires in billets enabled a certain amount of comfort to be secured during the cold spells of weather, when the ground for days was frozen hard.

Reginald embarked for England on the 7th of April and was allocated to Group 3 whilst awaiting embarkation home to Australia.

On the 23rd of July 1919 Reginald and his new wife embarked for Australian on board HT Canberra, disembarking in Adelaide on the 9th of September.

When they were between Fremantle & Adelaide a token of appreciation was presented to the Captain, W.T.C. Firth, who had shown much kindness to the soldiers and their families. They gave him a marble clock that they had inscribed.

Reginald was discharged from the AIF on the 7th of February 1920.