Collection: HOPKINSON PETER (LIEUTENANT)

Three large format (one slightly smaller), leather bound albums with affixed prints, a mixture of official and private and ephemera denoting the service of Lieutenant Peter Hopkinson a cameraman with No 1 Army Film and Photographic Unit (AFPU) during the Second World War. The albums are each entitled by means of gold lettering on the spine 'Egypt and Italy', 'Persia' and 'The Balkans'. Persia: Coverage of Hopkinson's time in Persia (and Middle East generally) whilst the AFPU unit made an MOI film 'Via Persia' about the journey supplies made to get through to Russia, 1942; Photographic coverage in the album includes detailed coverage of the journey to Iran via Egypt, Palestine, the Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. Depicted are transportation methods, accommodation along the route and local customs and scenes. Coverage is particularly strong of the journey by train from Basra to Tehran by military transport, particularly via Royal Engineers Railway Operating Company. Loading the train will all manner of military neccessities is seen, particualrly, cars, lorries and aircraft. Coverage continues as we see the cameramen filming the train journey through Iran into the southern USSR and the first meeting of a Soviet representatives at Andimeshk, continuing with the remote journey through the Zagros mountains. Accommodation at Tehran consisting a tented transit camp at the end of the journey. Further progression by road and rail into the USSR. Camping out of a truck by the roadside near the Caspian sea. Crossing the Caspian by boat towards Baku, street scenes in Tabriz, the Army maintenance depot in Tabriz and AFPU accommodation courtesy of a British banker in the city. Egypt and Italy: This albums commences with documents relating to Hopkinson's call up and service, initially with 'B' Coy 162nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps and an example of a test for the appointment as a cameraman within AFPU. The album then jumps to Hopkinson's travel to GHQ Middle East Forces 1942 including scenes on board the 'Highland Princess' troopship, above and below decks particularly rest and sports recreatiom, his arrival at Cairo and joining other members of 1 AFPU, filming at the Pyramids with Leon Shauder (a South African with AFPU); filming General Auchinleck as he presents medals to 4th Indian Division (1942); coverage of the Battle of Alam Halfa (September 1942) and Greek Brigade forces south of Ruweisat; some very limited coverage of Alamein and surrounding areas. Filmmakers covering Churchill's visit to Cairo, February 1943, notice and photograph reporting the death of Flt Lt D N Gallai-Hatchard RAFVR a fellow pre-war filmaker. The album moves on to Hopkinson's coverage of the Invasion and campaign in Sicily and Italy. AFPU spendign Christmas day at Vasto or in the Sergeants' and Officers' messes in Naples are depicted. Towards the end of his time in Italy Hopkinson is commissioned as a subaltern and is posted to No 2 AFPU, with the GHQ Central Mediterranean Forces freom where he covered the Italian campaign and made a film of an 'Italian Free Press' (July 1944) The Balkans: The final of three albums contains photographs which depict the service of Hopkinson in 2 AFPU while he was covering the campaign in Albania, Greece and Yugoslavia 1944-1945, and is interspersed with letters From 2 AFPU regarding his postings and promotions. Images, mostly appearing official, cover No 2 Commando fighting through Albania and the capture of German prisoners, linking up and friendly relations with Albanian partisans. Onward progression into Yugoslavia follows with Hopkinson's arrival on the Island of Vis and a link up with Yugoslavian partisans, and soon after departure into the Yugoslavian mainland during which time his promoted to Lieutenant. There is coverage of the AFPUs filming of the liberation of Greece, particularly the cities of Patras and Xilokastron and 'Operation Manna', the 21nd Parachute Brigade's jump at Megara, and the liberation of Athens (October 1944). Remaining in theatre Hopkinson went on to cover the relief work in Yugoslavia undertaken by UNRRA and filmed the reunion of families in a Dalmatian village (Spring 1945). The album finishes with documents denoting that Hopkinson was transferrd to the RAOC for demobilisation purposes with the rak of Temporary Captain.

3 albums labelled "PETER HOPKINSON" containing mounted photographs.