13th (Forest of Dean Pioneers) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment
Benjamin Thomas Hope was the only son of Benjamin (died 1894) and Ann Hope, of Ruardean Hill, Drybrook, born in Westbury-on-Severn district in 1892.
His obituary in The Dean Forest Mercury reported that he had been ‘wounded in the early days of the recent advance’, probably in the diversionary action at the Boar’s Head, Richebourg, (east of Bethune) on 30 June 1916. He had joined the Army in February 1915 and had rapidly advanced to the rank of Serjeant. The obituary stated that he was a collier, but he had worked in the Co-op Grocery Stores at Morse Cross, Morse Road, Drybrook (1911 Census). The 13th Glosters had landed in France on 3 March 1916 and were the Pioneer Battalion of 39th Division.
Serjeant Benjamin Thomas Hope died of wounds at 5th Southern General Hospital, Portsmouth on 16 July 1916, aged 23 years. He is buried in Drybrook (Holy Trinity) Churchyard and his grave is marked by a CWGC headstone.
Researched by Eric Nicholls 5 August 2014
The photograph appeared in The Dean Forest Mercury of 28 July 1916.