Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William Fleming Hopkins was born in the Maryborough District in 1864. He graduated from Adelaide University, B.A.. Returning to Victoria he did three years of teaching at Portland and Scotch College. Admitted to Melbourne University, graduating M.B. and B.S. in 1891 and secured the appointment of Medical Officer and Manager of the Stawell Hospital.
Doctor Hopkins joined the Victorian Rangers Medical Staff in 1892 with the rank of Captain. He served with them until his appointment as Medical Officer to the First Victorian Contingent under the command of Captain McLeish.
Captain Hopkins exhibited courage and coolness under heavy fire attending to the wounded at Rensburg.
He died of enteric fever (typhoid) at Naauwpoort, in the Orange Free state, 27 March 1900

The official itimation was containted in the following cablegram, which the Lieutenant-Governor received on Friday morning from Sir Alfred Mlner, Her Majesty's High Commissioner of South Africa:-

Capetown, 28th March

'Regret to inform you that Captain W.F. Hopkins, Victorian Contingent, died of enteric fever, hospita, Naauwport, 27th March.'

Captain Wililam Fleming Hopkins, of the medical staff, Victorian Rangers, was born on 13th October 1864, and was consequently 35 years of age.  He joined the Rangers' medical staff on 26th May 1892, with the rank of Captain, and served with them until his appoitnment as medical officer in charge of the first Vicotrian Contingent, under the command of Captain McLeish.  The deceased officer was universally liked by all ranks, and his splendid courage and collness, exhibited in attending to the wounded under a heavy fire, at Rensburg, where Major Eddy and Lieutenant Roberts were killed won for him golden opinions. 

Captain Hopkins lived at Stawell.  Mrs. Hopkins is lady superintendent of the Stawell Hospital.  Keen regret was expressed by the Minister and officers of the Devence department at the sad intelligence.