Letter donated to Tank Museum reveals bravery of WWI tank gunner
It shares the story of Lance Corporal G S Hopkins
Last updated 10th Nov 2025
A letter donated to The Tank Museum in Bovington is revealing the bravery of a First World War tank gunner.
The paper, which is dated 17 August 1917, shares the story of Lance Corporal G S Hopkins, who was injured and later died after his two tanks were hit by shells over the space of a few days.
He was described as “the best machine gunner” by his commanding officer.
Sharing the story, The Tank Museum say how Lt Palmer last saw L/Col Hopkins when he was taken to the nearest dressing station, and only heard later of his death: “I was sent later, on sick leave, and on returning yesterday, I heard for the first time that L/Cpl Hopkins had died. As an N.C.O., and as a gunner, I shall miss him very much – he will be very hard to replace too, because he held the crew together beautifully.”
The letter is ended with an invitation to Mr Hopkins to write again “if there are any points you’d care to enquire about... Assuring you of my deepest sympathy,"
Followed by a postscript emphasising L/Cpl Hopkin’s bravery: “P.S. I notice that I fail to tell you that your brother was as badly gassed as anyone, but he remained at duty. He was in both tanks which we had knocked out.”
'First-hand accounts of action from WWI are rare'
Historian James Donaldson said: “First-hand accounts of action from WWI are rare, and the fact that this letter dates from the early use of tanks, makes it an invaluable addition to the Museum’s collection.
“It is fascinating, humbling and incredibly moving to read such a personal piece of correspondence. It really brings home the impact of a war often told in terms of large-scale losses on the individual soldier and their families, as well as their brothers in arms.”