British Bristish War Medal 1939-45 : Shipwright 3rd Class R B Hopcraft, RAN

Places
Accession Number REL33845.004
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Medal
Physical description Cupronickel
Maker Unknown
Place made United Kingdom
Date made c 1946
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

Bristish War Medal 1939-45. Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

History / Summary

Associated with the service of 21030 Shipwright 3rd Class Robert Beauchamp Hopcraft, RAN, of Sydney, NSW. Hopcraft enlisted on 2 March 1936 and served aboard HMAS Sydney (II). He was killed in action, aged 27 years, when HMAS Sydney (II) was sunk in the Indian Ocean on 19 November 1941 while battling the German Raider HSK Kormoran.

The Kormoran was converted from a freighter and was well armed with guns, torpedoes and mines. However, this armament was carefully disguised and she posed as a merchant ship. The two ships engaged in battle off the coast of Western Australia in the afternoon of 19 November 1941.

The Kormoran's disguise as a merchant ship was enough to entice the Sydney into close range, where the Kormoran overwhelmed her with gunfire and torpedoes. The Sydney was mortally hit, however she fought back and ensured the Kormoran's destruction.