Remembrance Dispatch 62

Lieutenant Hopkin Thomas Maddock MC

15 December 1921 ~ Aged 40

Hostel 1894-1898

Hopkin Thomas Maddock, the son of a colliery owner from Pontycymmer, joined the Hostel (now Donaldson's) in 1894. He played occasionally for the Cricket XI, and regularly for the 1st XV. 

After leaving school, he moved to work as a tax officer in London, where he played for the London Welsh. ‘Hop’ made 275 appearances for the side, scoring 610 points. His total of 170 tries has never been beaten. He captained the London Welsh for three seasons and also gained 6 Welsh caps.

H T Maddock enlisted at the outbreak of war, receiving his commission on 25th September 1916 and joining the Machine Gun Corps. Towards the end of the year, he was wounded by shell fire, severely damaging his shoulder. After recovering, ‘Hop’ returned to the Front. During fighting to halt the German Ludendorff offensive in April 1918, he was dangerously wounded. Even though injured, he held off the enemy until all his men had crossed a bridge, and he was awarded the Military Cross for his actions. 

The injury he received in 1916 continued to trouble him and these latest wounds saw him being returned home to convalesce. However, he never fully recovered. Lieutenant H T Maddock died on 15th December 1921 from complications from "wounds received while in His Majesty's forces". The London Welsh played their last match of the year wearing black armbands as a mark of respect.

Lieutenant H T Maddock died after 31st August 1921, the cut-off point for recording First World War fatalities. His name was therefore not included on the Christ College War Memorial. In November 2013 his name was added to the Roll of Honour read on Remembrance Sunday at Christ College. He is also included on the War Memorial at the London Welsh Ground.

1898 Rugby Fooball XV

H T Maddock is seated on the ground far left.

Standing directly behind him is a future Headmaster of Christ College, J L Phillips (School House 1892-1899), and another future London Welsh player and International, E 'Teddy' Morgan (Morton's 1892-1899).