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Identity
Person No.
10255
Service No.
Unknown
Last Name
First Name
Wallace Frank
Initials
W F
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
43
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause code
KIA 14,779
Killed in action
Cause of Death
Killed in action, at Delville Wood. Frank Marillier (2nd Bn C Coy) owed his life to a courageous officer: "July 18th. Absolute hell turned inside out. I never expected to get out whole. Shells dropped everywhere. We got orders to return in the afternoon late. I think, in fact I am almost sure, that our lives were saved when a very brave officer, Capt Hoptroff (2nd Bn D Coy), made his way to our position. He wasted no time. "Get out! Get out!" he said, and was almost immediately hit by a bullet and killed outright. It is strange how in the most urgent and tragic circumstances, one notices things of minor importance."
Military Service
Location
Country
Locality
Cemetery
Grave Reference
Coordinates
Notes
Son of Frank and Ellen Hoptroff, late of Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Citations
LG Sup 22 August 1918 - "For distinguished service in the Field and in connection with the campaign in German South-West Africa, 1914-15"
External References
-
K.M. Jordan — DLI research (ABW / WWI ROH)
K.M. Jordan, Durban Light Infantry: WWI Roll of Honour ("Work in Progress" draft, July/Aug 2026; email to John/Bobby, 3 Sep 2026). Local file data/jordan_dli_wwi_roh_2026-08.pdf (Downloads: "1. Durban Light Infantry WWI ROH - July, Aug 2026.pdf"). WWI ROH #68. Captain HOPTROFF, Wallace Frank “Brought to the Notice of the Secretary of State for War”, age 43, Force No , 1st South African Infantry Brigade: Born St. Mary Magdalen, St. Leonards, Sussex, England October 1872; served as a sharpshooter & quartermaster sergeant (#32856) with the 71st Company, 18th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry in the ABW 1901-1902; settled in South Africa after the war; a government official in Pretoria. He served with the Durban Light Infantry in GSWA.1914-1915; served with the 2nd Regiment in Egypt & France; WIA (slightl… Buried/commemorated: Serre Road Cemetery #2, Somme, France. (Also, on the Tunbridge Wells, Kent; Skinner’s School, Tunbridge Wells; the Durban Light Infantry & the Durban Cenotaph WWI Memorials.)
- South African War Graves Project open source ↗
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