Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

A poem honoring the Hopton Family and their parents

Edith May Hopton (nee Coulter)and the Reverend Henry Hopton.

Delivered by Dr Toby Hopton (eldest grandson)

Here is the Hopton spirit, in the heart of the city they once loved;

Here we guard the record which they themselves have made. (6 siblings in WW2)

Here is the Ode to Edith and Henry Hopton and their 10 Children (David No5)

 Edith and her Priest

Through the cloisters, softly creeping

Mid Adelaide’s Kirk tops tossed,

See cloud-forms seeking

For ten loved ones that are lost.

Not for war or peacetime resting,

Did they slacken or desist,

Or grow weary in their questing

For they were born of Edith and her Priest.

Where are now those children hiding?

Surely they must soon return,

In the church again abiding

'Mid the music and the churn.

Ah the dusky forms departed

Never more will keep their tryst,

And the clouds, alone, sad-hearted,

Mourn ten offspring of Edith and her Priest.

Even most they were scattered,

Before they died, renewed their race,

And the time, by wars end shattered,

Left thirty three heirs to take their place.

Though each child brought forth healing,

Year by year the clouds have kissed,

Vainly are those heavy hearts feeling,

For remembrance of Edith and her Priest.

Dead the race, beyond all waking,

Ere its task was well begun;

Human hearts that throb to breaking

Are but dust beneath the midday sun.

Past all dreams of vengeance-wreaking,

Blown where'er the tempests takes them.

But the Adelaide spires still remind us  

Of ten gone children of Edith and her Priest.

  Eulogy 1 – Capt Peter Hopton – second son of David

Eulogy 2 – Capt Ron Brennan – The Ansett Years

Eulogy 3 – Commander John Compton – Living in Cairns with the Hoptons

Eulogy 4 – RSL Cairns

Eulogy conclusion

Some day we will know, where pilots go when their work on earth is through.
Where the air is clean, and the engines gleam and the skies are always blue.
They have flown alone, when engines moan, as they sweat the great divide,
And they take delight, at the awesome sight of the world spread far and wide.
 Yet not alone, for above the moan, where the earth is out of sight,

as they make their stand, He takes their hand and guides them through the night.
How near to God are these men of sod, who step near deaths last door?
Oh, these are real, not made of steel, but He knows who goes before.

And how they live, and love, and are beloved, but their love is most for air.
And with death about, they still fly out, and leave their troubles there.
He knows these things, of men with wings, and He knows they are surely true.
and He will give a hand, to such a man… 

Because He is a pilot too.

 Minister

Father in heaven, we give you thanks for your servant David Henry Hopton

We praise you as we recollect his/her life and cherish his memory.

 We bless you that in bearing your image he has brought light to our lives;

 for we have seen in his love and  friendship reflections of your compassion, in his integrity demonstrations of your goodness,