Private Ronald Hopper

> Private Ronald Hopper: general experience

"One thing I liked about this hospital, was the fact that we had clean white sheets..."

	This page: general experience.
	Includes inventory.

August 1941 in Cyprus - outside Famagusta, Ron Hopper (left) with Ernie Howell

Ronald Hopper was born in 1919, the youngest of 7 children. He attended secondary school, where amongst other subjects he studied German and shorthand - both of which were to prove useful during the war. He signed up for the Territorial Army in April 1939, and on 1^st September he joined the 50^th (N) Division R.A.S.C. (TA). One of his first duties was clerical work in the No. 1 Echelon Office. On 16^th January 1940 the 50^th Division left England to join the B. E. F. in France. After a successful evacuation from Dunkirk he served in Cyprus, Palestine, Iraq and North Africa.

On 29^th June 1942, while in North Africa he was captured by the Afrika Corps and became a Prisoner of War. He was transported to Camp 82 in Laterina, North Italy where his talents for typing, shorthand and languages were put to use. He was put to work in the Italian Camp Office, outside the camp and received extra rations (including cigarettes). While working in the office he wrote that he didn't feel like a prisoner, quite different from his experience in Germany. During this time he was taken into the Red Cross Hospital at Lucca with abscessed tonsils (later discovered to be diphtheria). He became involved in organising entertainment and the Doctor made an excuse to keep him in hospital for a total of five months.

On 8^th September 1943 Italy capitulated. Ronald was free - until a German garrison arrived one week later on 15^th September. Soon after he was transferred (in a cattle truck) to M - Stammlager VIII C in Germany, where he was forced to work first in a sugar beet factory and then when the season ended, in a concrete factory. On 20^th March 1944 he was transferred to a mining camp in Waldenburg. The work was hard and the conditions depressing. However light relief was provided by the entertainment group, 'The Moles'. Ronald was instrumental in setting this up, and went on to produce many of the group's productions. He remained there until the war ended and was Mentioned in Despatches, for his entertainment work.

The Centre is proud to preserve Ronald's letters home, letters from his family, his memoir and associated items of memorabilia.

S/81240 Pte. R.J. Hopper
No. 8 Ward
St Martins Hospital
Bath

25.7.40

My dear Mother,

Just a very short note. It happens that in the ward there is a German Jew - who poor chap has been in a concentration camp - he has been in England about 18 months & speaks very good English. He heard I knew a little German & so between us we have arranged to teach each other German & English respectively, it will be most useful later on when we capture Hamburg & Berlin. He is in the British Army in the A.M.P.C. & is very nice. This evening we have been speaking about the peculiarities of both languages & believe me when you look for them there are many. . . Can you send immediately 3 of my German books out of the bookcase. They are "Deutsches Leben", Das "Gespensterschiff" & another red book with exercises. He tells me my pronunciation is excellent & that I have a pretty good knowledge of this language. Do your best will you please!

I am feeling very well & have been getting up for the afternoons for the last few days. My legs are a lot stronger & I can get to the lavatory unaided & quite well. I don't expect I shall be here for much longer than another week, then I hope I shall have leave, of course, not half as strong as I used to be which is expected. . .

Did I tell you we had four Australians in our ward & there are a number of others scattered about the hospital. So we have now:- Navy - Army - Airforce & Dominions in No. 8 Ward everyone the best of pals.

We have a good wireless which is on all day nearly, & yesterday we had Radio Eire & including the records on the B.B.C. broadcasts heard "You are my hearts delight". . . Also from R. Eire we heard Caruso on a Record. They have some good programmes similar to Radio Luxembourg, so sometimes if there is nothing particular on the B.B.C. I should tune in & see if you like it.

Now as this is my last sheet I must bring this letter to a close.

Au revoir,
Heaps of love & x's from your affectionate son
Ronald

A letter to Mother

Transcript

Nazi Armband and Badge

Private Hopper's Dog Tags

	This page: general experience.
	Includes inventory.