World War I Roll of Honour - The Clove Club Hackney Downs School

We crossed the Scheldt about 4.45 a.m. In parts the river was ablaze with floating oil. The bridge
had been destroyed by our own men, so that we were compelled to make our crossing by two tugs
which ran to and fro. The sights we encountered on the road were heartrending. Here an old woman
is sitting on a cart with a few hastily gathered articles; here we see a weary, gaunt-eyed man driving
a few cows; here is a wounded, frightened mother, maybe widowed, with her babe tightly clasped:
all with that one look of hopelessness, going whither they knew not. Yet always they had the same
cry, “Long live England!” as we marched, or rather rolled by - for we were worn out with fatigue,
and hunger, and were footsore.
About three o’clock that afternoon we reached St.Giles’ station, intending to make for Ostend. There
were several trains there, and refugees were crowding in. They were willing to go in our stead, but
our order was to stand fast, and that order was our undoing. Although the line was supposed to be
cut, five out of the six trains got through.
Our only course, now, was to cross into Holland and at midnight we passed over the border and laid
down our arms. Dead tired and absolutely worn out, we slept in the streets that night, thankful that
we had escaped the Germans, who, we afterwards learned, were close on our heels. At 7 o’clock
next morning we were roused, and proceeded to Vlissingen (Flushing), where we obtained our first
wash since leaving England! I can assure you that this was badly needed and greatly appreciated.
At eleven o’clock that night we entrained for Gröningen, arriving there at a quarter-past twelve next
day (Sunday, April 11th).
The remarkable, and the worst, part was that all our experiences took place in one week. It is estimated
that on our retreat we marched between 75 and 85 miles - fifty-two of which were covered in 15
hours!
Our life since we arrived here has been one long term of monotony, although for those of us in the
Collingwood Orchestra it is not so bad. Soon, I hope, the war will be over, and I will endeavour to
pay the old School a visit. Wishing the REVIEW all success, and with best regards to all whom I
know at the “old place.”
I remain,
Yours sincerely,
JNO. F. HOPKINS (A.B.).