On the morning of the 29th July 1940 a massive German attack was launched on the Port of Dover harbour setting a Royal Navy supply ship, HMS Sandhurst, ablaze. Four George Medals were awarded to local men for their actions on that day, three to the firemen of the local Dover station and one to Captain F J Hopgood, a Dover Harbour Board Tugmaster.
The HMS Sandhurst serviced the destroyer flotilla of the Dover Patrol and contained torpedoes and munitions. HMS Codrington was moored next to Sandhurst and had already been sunk. Ruptured oil pipes had also set the surface of the water alight.
In honour of Captain Hopgood's brave actions a plaque has been donated to the Harbour Board who were pleased to erect the plaque at the Eastern Docks. Unfortunately no record of Captain Hopgood has been located and the organiser of the plaque, Mr Harmer, is still looking for information on the tug master.
Pictured are Malcolm Mckenzie, Head of Marine Services at the Port of Dover (left) and Mr Harmer (right).
