This photograph was one of three that a friend found in a flea market and although they were of no interest to him, he purchased them knowing that I was interested in police history. Initially the only clues as to which force this gentleman might belong to was the name of the photographer printed on the mount, "H.E. Jones, 73 Northgate Street, Gloucester", and a vague recollection that Gloucestershire Constabulary had worn white-topped caps long before they became the prized symbol of the traffic officer.

So began the longest of long shots when I sent a copy of the photograph to the Gloucestershire Records Office. Within a couple of weeks one of the archivists at the office replied identifying the subject of the photograph as being Deputy Chief Constable Arthur William Hopkins and enclosing a photocopy of his obituary from one of the local newspapers.

Arthur William Hopkins joined the Gloucestershire Constabulary at Cheltenham on 8th April 1879, but by the October of that year he was transferred to the Bristol area becoming the Divisional Superintendent's Clerk at Fishponds. Later in his career he was to become the Detective officer for the Bristol Division. Mr Hopkins' next move was as Sergeant-in-charge at Shirehampton and Avonmouth, where he was stationed from 1884 to 1890.

In 1890 Mr Hopkins was promoted to Inspector and he took charge at St. George's, Bristol East until November 1891 when promotion to Superintendent saw him take command of the Northleach Division, in the heart of the Cotswolds. The following year he moved to Dursley where he was destined to remain for five and a half years. 1898 saw Mr Hopkins being transferred back to Cheltenham where he was placed in charge of the Cheltenham and Tewksbury Divisions, a post he held for the next 21 years.

In 1911 he was one of twenty Gloucestershire officers to receive the Coronation Medal to commemorate the Coronation of King George V. The award ceremony was held at The Spa, Gloucester on 17th August 1912, where the medals were presented by Lord Ducie, the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire. In 1919 he was promoted to Deputy Chief Constable. With his elevation to chief officer level he moved once again, this time to Gloucester where was destined to see out the remainder of his police service.

On 1st January 1926 the London Gazette published the following announcement. Amongst the nineteen recipients listed was Arthur William Hopkins, Chief Superintendent and Deputy Chief Constable, Gloucestershire Constabulary.

In 1928 Mr Hopkins was made an Officer of the Insignia Diploma in the Grand Priory of the Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem. During his distinguished career, he received many testimonials and illuminated addresses from the towns he served in. He also received many commendations, including one for the part he played in policing the Avonmouth Dock Disputes. He was also a prominent Freemason and by the time of his death was a Past Master of St. John Dursley Lodge, a Member of the Royal Union Lodge, Cheltenham and a Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer.

In April 1929 Arthur William Hopkins celebrated 50 years police service, but he still carried on, not retiring until September 1931 after 52 years of dedicated service, at which time he was 72 years of age! Upon his retirement he continued to live in Gloucestershire, residing at La France, Conway Road, Hucclecote, Gloucester. However, on Saturday 3rd September 1938 the Gloucester Chronicle reported the passing of Mr Hopkins:

Mr Hopkins had been taken ill the previous week whilst on holiday at Weston-Super-Mare and on consulting a local doctor had been advised to undergo immediate surgery. Mr Hopkins returned to Gloucester and underwent an operation for acute appendicitis in the Royal Infirmary, but passed away five days later at the age of 79.