William C. Hopkinson - Revision history

GiseleStead at 14:33, 22 November 2025

2025-11-22T14:33:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:03, 22 November 2025
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	{{more footnotes\|date=September ~~2022~~}}		{{Short description\|Indian police officer (1880–1914)}}
	'''William Charles Hopkinson''' (~~1880–1914~~) was an [[~~British India~~\|Indian~~]] [[~~police officer]] and later an immigration inspector in the Canadian Immigration Branch in [[Vancouver]], British Columbia, who is noted for his role in infiltration and intelligence on the [[Ghadar Party\|Ghadarite]] movement in [[North America]] in the early 1900s.<ref>{{cite web		{{more footnotes\|date=September 2017}}
			[[File:Detail of Canadian immigration officer William Charles Hopkinson from a photograph of him and other officials meeting with reporters during Komagata Maru crisis, 1914.jpg\|thumb\|Detail of Canadian immigration officer William Charles Hopkinson from a photograph of him and other officials meeting with reporters during ''Komagata Maru'' crisis, 1914]]
			{{EngvarB\|date=April 2023}}
			{{Use dmy dates\|date=April 2023}}
			'''William Charles Hopkinson''' (16 June 1880 – 21 October 1914) was an Anglo-Indian who served as an [[Indian Imperial Police\|Indian police officer]] and later an immigration inspector in the Canadian Immigration Branch in [[Vancouver]], British Columbia, who is noted for his role in infiltration and intelligence on the [[Ghadar Party\|Ghadarite]] movement in [[North America]] in the early 1900s.<ref>{{cite web
	\| publisher = UC, Berkeley, Bancroft Library		\| publisher = UC, Berkeley, Bancroft Library
	\| url=http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/SSEAL/echoes/chapter7/chapter7.html		\| url=http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/SSEAL/echoes/chapter7/chapter7.html
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	==Early life==		==Early life==
	Hopkinson was born in [[Delhi]] on June ~~16,~~ 1880. His father, William Hopkinson, was then a sergeant instructor of volunteers at Allahabad. His mother, Agnes Hopkinson, may have been an Indian woman, who used a European name.<ref name=Johnson142>{{Harvnb\|Johnson\|~~1989~~\|p=142}}</ref> Raised in India, he spoke Hindi, but did not speak Punjabi well. He turned to others for translation of materials written in the Gurmukhi script.		Hopkinson was born in [[Delhi]] on 16 June 1880. His father, William Hopkinson, was then a sergeant instructor of volunteers at Allahabad. His mother, Agnes Hopkinson, may have been an Indian woman, who used a European name.<ref name=Johnson142>{{Harvnb\|Johnson\|1979\|p=142}}</ref> Raised in India, he spoke Hindi, but did not speak Punjabi well.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Hickman \|first=Pamela \|title=Righting Canada's Wrongs: The Komagata Maru: and Canada's Anti-Indian Immigration Policies in the Twentieth Century \|publisher=[[James Lorimer & Company]] \|year=2014 \|isbn=9781459404373 \|edition=illustrated \|pages=43 \|chapter=3: Unwelcome in Canada}}</ref> He turned to others for translation of materials written in the Gurmukhi script.

	==Intelligence work==		==Intelligence work==
	In 1903 or 1904, he became an inspector of police in Calcutta. Hopkinson came to Canada in late 1907 or early 1908, officially on leave, but pursuing investigations for the Criminal Intelligence Department in India.		In 1903 or 1904, he became an inspector of police in Calcutta. Hopkinson came to Canada in late 1907 or early 1908, officially on leave, but pursuing investigations for the Criminal Intelligence Department in India.

	In February 1909, he was hired by the Immigration Branch (part of the [[Minister of the Interior (Canada)\|Department of the Interior]]), as an immigration inspector and interpreter. He later became chief assistant to the Canadian inspector of immigration.<ref>{{Harvnb\|Campbell\|1999\|P=60}}</ref> Hopkinson continued to work for the police in India. He reported to the deputy minister of the Interior in Ottawa and to [[John Wallinger\|J. A. Wallinger]], Agent of the Government of India in London. He was also retained by the U.S. immigration service.		In February 1909, he was hired by the Immigration Branch (part of the [[Minister of the Interior (Canada)\|Department of the Interior]]), as an immigration inspector and interpreter. He later became chief assistant to the Canadian inspector of immigration.<ref>{{Harvnb\|Campbell\|1999\|P=60}}</ref> Hopkinson continued to work for the police in India. He reported to the deputy minister of the Interior in Ottawa and to [[John Wallinger\|J. A. Wallinger]], Agent of the Government of India in London. He was also retained by the U.S. immigration service.

	By 1910 Hopkinson was actively involved in monitoring the Indian immigration and the nationalistic separatist opinions and outlets in [[North America]], especially Canada, and was the principal agent responsible for comprehensive British intelligence in the Pacific coast.		By 1910 Hopkinson was actively involved in monitoring the Indian immigration and the nationalistic separatist opinions and outlets in [[North America]], especially Canada, and was the principal agent responsible for comprehensive British intelligence in the Pacific coast.
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	In mid-July, 1914, prior to the departure of the ''[[Komagata Maru]]'', a local [[Ghadar Party\|Ghadarite]], [[Mewa Singh Lopoke\|Mewa Singh]], was arrested while re-entering Canada from [[Sumas, Washington]], attempting to bring weapons into Canada. Hopkinson helped to secure his release with a minor fine.		In mid-July, 1914, prior to the departure of the ''[[Komagata Maru]]'', a local [[Ghadar Party\|Ghadarite]], [[Mewa Singh Lopoke\|Mewa Singh]], was arrested while re-entering Canada from [[Sumas, Washington]], attempting to bring weapons into Canada. Hopkinson helped to secure his release with a minor fine.

	On August ~~31,~~ 1914, one of Hopkinson's informants, Harnam Singh, was found murdered in Vancouver. On September 3, another informant, Arjan Singh, was shot dead in Vancouver. On September 5, another informant, Bela Singh, was arrested and subsequently charged with murder for killing two local Ghaderites, in what he claimed was self-defence.		On 31 August 1914, one of Hopkinson's informants, Harnam Singh, was found murdered in Vancouver. On 3 September, another informant, Arjan Singh, was shot dead in Vancouver. On 5 September, another informant, Bela Singh, was arrested and subsequently charged with murder for killing two local Ghaderites, in what he claimed was self-defence.

	==Death==		==Death==
	{{context\|section\|date=September ~~2022~~}} <!-- The context around Hopkins' assassination is jumbled. -->		{{context\|section\|date=September 2017}} <!-- The context around Hopkins' assassination is jumbled. -->
	On October ~~21,~~ 1914, Hopkinson attended the provincial courthouse on West Georgia Street in Vancouver. He was there to testify at Bela Singh's murder trial, where he was expected to give evidence concerning threats made against Bela Singh, including death threats made by one of the victims. While waiting outside a courtroom, Hopkinson was assassinated by Mewa Singh. For Bhai Mewa Singh the turning came on September 15, when he witnessed a man named Bela (who worked as an informant for the Canadian immigration department) enter the Gurdwara on West Second Avenue and was attacked and forced to shoot two Sikhs: Bhai Bhag Singh and Bhai Battan Singh. Bhai Mewa Singh, like many Sikhs, was devastated by this event especially with their source of weapons cut off and he planned to testify in revenge.		On 21 October 1914, Hopkinson attended the provincial courthouse on West Georgia Street in Vancouver. He was there to testify at Bela Singh's murder trial, where he was expected to give evidence concerning threats made against Bela Singh, including death threats made by one of the victims. While waiting outside a courtroom, Hopkinson was assassinated by Mewa Singh. For Bhai Mewa Singh the turning came on 15 September, when he witnessed a man named Bela (who worked as an informant for the Canadian immigration department) enter the Gurdwara on West Second Avenue and was attacked and forced to shoot two Sikhs: Bhai Bhag Singh and Bhai Battan Singh. Bhai Mewa Singh, like many Sikhs, was devastated by this event especially with their source of weapons cut off and he planned to testify in revenge.

	However, Bhai Mewa Singh Ji did not waver; he testified in court that Bela had shot Bhai Bhag Singh Ji and Bhai Battan Singh Ji from behind without any prior provocation. After giving this testimony Bhai Mewa Singh Ji claimed he was threatened once again by a mole named Babu who worked for inspector Hopkinson, although no evidence of this ever was provided. Bhai Mewa Singh continued to make claims he was told that the next time he was seen walking the streets of Vancouver that he would be shot dead.		However, Bhai Mewa Singh did not waver; he testified in court that Bela had shot Bhai Bhag Singh and Bhai Battan Singh from behind without any prior provocation. After giving this testimony Bhai Mewa Singh claimed he was threatened once again by a mole named Babu who worked for inspector Hopkinson, although no evidence of this ever was provided. Bhai Mewa Singh continued to make claims he was told that the next time he was seen walking the streets of Vancouver that he would be shot dead.

	Bhai Mewa Singh held inspector Hopkinson responsible for interfering in the efforts of the radical separatist group. And when Mr. Hopkinson was to appear in court on October ~~21,~~ 1914, to testify in favor of Bela. Bhai Mewa Singh Ji went to court that same day and shot and killed inspector Hopkinson to prevent him from testifying. After shooting inspector Hopkinson, Bhai Mewa Singh dropped his weapons and surrendered to the authorities. Bhai Mewa Singh Ji was put on trial for the murder of Officer Hopkinson. The presiding judge found him guilty of killing an inspector and Bhai Mewa Singh Ji was sentenced to death by hanging.<ref name=Popplewell160>{{Harvnb\|Popplewell\|1995\|p=160}}</ref>		Bhai Mewa Singh held inspector Hopkinson responsible for interfering in the efforts of the radical separatist group. And when Mr. Hopkinson was to appear in court on 21 October 1914, to testify in favor of Bela. Bhai Mewa Singh went to court that same day and shot and killed inspector Hopkinson to prevent him from testifying. After shooting inspector Hopkinson, Bhai Mewa Singh dropped his weapons and surrendered to the authorities. Bhai Mewa Singh was put on trial for the murder of Officer Hopkinson. The presiding judge found him guilty of killing an inspector and Bhai Mewa Singh was sentenced to death. At his trial, he told the court that he did not regret killing Hopkinson.<blockquote>"My religion does not teach me to bear enmity with anybody, nor had I any enmity with Mr. Hopkinson. He was oppressing poor people very much. I, being a staunch Sikh, could no longer bear to see the wrong done both to my countrymen and the Dominion of Canada. This is what led me to take Hopkinson’s life and sacrifice my own life. And I, performing the duty of a true Sikh and remembering the name of God, will proceed towards the scaffold with the same amount of pleasure as a hungry baby goes towards his mother."<ref>{{Cite web \|url=https://kdsross.com/about/history/shaheed-bhai-mewa-singh/ \|access-date=2023-10-04 \|website=kdsross.com \|title=Shaheed Bhai Mewa Singh \| Khalsa Diwan Society \|date=12 August 2018 }}</ref></blockquote>Bhai Mewa Singh was executed by hanging at the New Westminster jail on 11 January 1915.<ref name="Popplewell160">{{Harvnb\|Popplewell\|1995\|p=160}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|title=Canada Executions from 1860 to Abolition – Capital Punishment UK \|url=http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/canada.html \|access-date=2023-10-04 \|website=www.capitalpunishmentuk.org}}</ref>

	==References==		==References==
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	[[Category:1914 deaths]]		[[Category:1914 deaths]]
	[[Category:Deaths by firearm in British Columbia]]		[[Category:Deaths by firearm in British Columbia]]
	~~[[Category:Male murder victims]]~~
	[[Category:Indian police officers]]		[[Category:Indian police officers]]
	[[Category:People from Delhi]]		[[Category:People from Delhi]]
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	[[Category:Indian people murdered abroad]]		[[Category:Indian people murdered abroad]]
	[[Category:Assassinated police officers]]		[[Category:Assassinated police officers]]
	[[Category:1914 ~~murders in Canada~~]]		[[Category:People murdered in 1914]]
	[[Category:Immigration to British Columbia]]		[[Category:Immigration to British Columbia]]

74.102.148.245: robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

2022-11-05T02:25:13Z

robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:55, 5 November 2022
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	{{more footnotes\|date=September ~~2017~~}}		{{more footnotes\|date=September 2022}}
	'''William Charles Hopkinson''' (1880–1914) was an [[British India\|Indian]] [[police officer]] and later an immigration inspector in the Canadian Immigration Branch in [[Vancouver]], British Columbia, who is noted for his role in infiltration and intelligence on the [[Ghadar Party\|Ghadarite]] movement in [[North America]] in the early 1900s.<ref>{{cite web		'''William Charles Hopkinson''' (1880–1914) was an [[British India\|Indian]] [[police officer]] and later an immigration inspector in the Canadian Immigration Branch in [[Vancouver]], British Columbia, who is noted for his role in infiltration and intelligence on the [[Ghadar Party\|Ghadarite]] movement in [[North America]] in the early 1900s.<ref>{{cite web
	\| publisher = UC, Berkeley, Bancroft Library		\| publisher = UC, Berkeley, Bancroft Library
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	During the incident, he acted as an interpreter for the Immigration Branch when passengers were questioned.		During the incident, he acted as an interpreter for the Immigration Branch when passengers were questioned.

	In mid-July, 1914, prior to the departure of the ''[[Komagata Maru]]'', a local [[Ghadar Party\|Ghadarite]], [[Mewa Singh Lopoke\|Mewa Singh]], was arrested while re-entering Canada from [[Sumas, Washington]], attempting to bring weapons into Canada. Hopkinson helped to secure his release with a minor fine~~. This further illustrated the integrity and upholding of the law by William C. Hopkinson{{snd}} a life-long policeman{{snd}} to assist and help his Indian countrymen~~.		In mid-July, 1914, prior to the departure of the ''[[Komagata Maru]]'', a local [[Ghadar Party\|Ghadarite]], [[Mewa Singh Lopoke\|Mewa Singh]], was arrested while re-entering Canada from [[Sumas, Washington]], attempting to bring weapons into Canada. Hopkinson helped to secure his release with a minor fine.

	On August 31, 1914, one of Hopkinson's informants, Harnam Singh, was found murdered in Vancouver. On September 3, another informant, Arjan Singh, was shot dead in Vancouver. On September 5, another informant, Bela Singh, was arrested and subsequently charged with murder for killing two local Ghaderites, in what he claimed was self-defence ~~as he along with other law-abiding citizens were being murdered in a separatist effort to remove any informants that could interfere with their radical separatist efforts~~.		On August 31, 1914, one of Hopkinson's informants, Harnam Singh, was found murdered in Vancouver. On September 3, another informant, Arjan Singh, was shot dead in Vancouver. On September 5, another informant, Bela Singh, was arrested and subsequently charged with murder for killing two local Ghaderites, in what he claimed was self-defence.

	==Death==		==Death==
	{{context\|section\|date=September ~~2017~~}} <!-- The context around Hopkins' assassination is jumbled. -->		{{context\|section\|date=September 2022}} <!-- The context around Hopkins' assassination is jumbled. -->
	On October 21, 1914, Hopkinson attended the provincial courthouse on West Georgia Street in Vancouver. He was there to testify at Bela Singh's murder trial, where he was expected to give evidence concerning threats made against Bela Singh, including death threats made by one of the victims. While waiting outside a courtroom, Hopkinson was assassinated by Mewa Singh. For Bhai Mewa Singh the turning came on September 15, when he witnessed a man named Bela (who worked as an informant for the Canadian immigration department) enter the Gurdwara on West Second Avenue and was attacked and forced to shoot two Sikhs: Bhai Bhag Singh and Bhai Battan Singh. Bhai Mewa Singh, like many Sikhs, was devastated by this event especially with their source of weapons cut off and he planned to testify in revenge.		On October 21, 1914, Hopkinson attended the provincial courthouse on West Georgia Street in Vancouver. He was there to testify at Bela Singh's murder trial, where he was expected to give evidence concerning threats made against Bela Singh, including death threats made by one of the victims. While waiting outside a courtroom, Hopkinson was assassinated by Mewa Singh. For Bhai Mewa Singh the turning came on September 15, when he witnessed a man named Bela (who worked as an informant for the Canadian immigration department) enter the Gurdwara on West Second Avenue and was attacked and forced to shoot two Sikhs: Bhai Bhag Singh and Bhai Battan Singh. Bhai Mewa Singh, like many Sikhs, was devastated by this event especially with their source of weapons cut off and he planned to testify in revenge.

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	[[Category:Indian people murdered abroad]]		[[Category:Indian people murdered abroad]]
	[[Category:Assassinated police officers]]		[[Category:Assassinated police officers]]
	[[Category:~~1910s~~ murders in Canada]]		[[Category:1914 murders in Canada]]
	~~[[Category:1914 crimes in Canada]]~~
	~~[[Category:1914 murders in North America~~]]
	[[Category:Immigration to British Columbia]]		[[Category:Immigration to British Columbia]]

>Indefatigable: Clean up/copyedit

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← Older revision		Revision as of 21:22, 16 October 2021
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	{{more footnotes\|date=September 2017}}		{{more footnotes\|date=September 2017}}
	'''William Charles Hopkinson''' (1880–1914) was an [[British India\|Indian]] [[police officer]] and later an immigration inspector in the Canadian Immigration Branch in Vancouver, ~~B.C.~~, who is noted for his role in infiltration and intelligence on the [[Ghadar Party\|Ghadarite]] movement in [[North America]] in the early 1900s.<ref>{{cite web		'''William Charles Hopkinson''' (1880–1914) was an [[British India\|Indian]] [[police officer]] and later an immigration inspector in the Canadian Immigration Branch in [[Vancouver]], British Columbia, who is noted for his role in infiltration and intelligence on the [[Ghadar Party\|Ghadarite]] movement in [[North America]] in the early 1900s.<ref>{{cite web
	\| publisher = UC, Berkeley, Bancroft Library		\| publisher = UC, Berkeley, Bancroft Library
	\| url=http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/SSEAL/echoes/chapter7/chapter7.html		\| url=http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/SSEAL/echoes/chapter7/chapter7.html
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	In 1903 or 1904, he became an inspector of police in Calcutta. Hopkinson came to Canada in late 1907 or early 1908, officially on leave, but pursuing investigations for the Criminal Intelligence Department in India.		In 1903 or 1904, he became an inspector of police in Calcutta. Hopkinson came to Canada in late 1907 or early 1908, officially on leave, but pursuing investigations for the Criminal Intelligence Department in India.

	In February 1909, he was hired by the Immigration Branch (part of the Department of the Interior), as an immigration inspector and interpreter. He later became chief assistant to the Canadian inspector of immigration.<ref>{{Harvnb\|Campbell\|1999\|P=60}}</ref> Hopkinson continued to work for the police in India. He reported to the ~~Deputy Minister~~ of the Interior in Ottawa and to [[John Wallinger\|J. A. Wallinger]], Agent of the Government of India in London. He was also retained by the U.S. immigration service.		In February 1909, he was hired by the Immigration Branch (part of the [[Minister of the Interior (Canada)\|Department of the Interior]]), as an immigration inspector and interpreter. He later became chief assistant to the Canadian inspector of immigration.<ref>{{Harvnb\|Campbell\|1999\|P=60}}</ref> Hopkinson continued to work for the police in India. He reported to the deputy minister of the Interior in Ottawa and to [[John Wallinger\|J. A. Wallinger]], Agent of the Government of India in London. He was also retained by the U.S. immigration service.

	By 1910 Hopkinson was actively involved in monitoring the Indian immigration and the nationalistic separatist opinions and outlets in [[North America]], especially Canada, and was the principal agent responsible for comprehensive British intelligence in the Pacific coast.		By 1910 Hopkinson was actively involved in monitoring the Indian immigration and the nationalistic separatist opinions and outlets in [[North America]], especially Canada, and was the principal agent responsible for comprehensive British intelligence in the Pacific coast.

	He openly attended public meetings in British Columbia and down the coast in Washington, Oregon and California, to gather information on Indian nationalists and separatists. He used a network of assets to provide additional information on various terrorist & separatist groups. During that time he was subjected to accusations of bribery and to threats by the objects of his intelligence work, although it has been stated that in fact this was done due to his refusal to accept bribes or to be threatened by these subjects.		He openly attended public meetings in British Columbia and down the coast in Washington, Oregon and California, to gather information on Indian nationalists and separatists. He used a network of assets to provide additional information on various terrorist and separatist groups. During that time he was subjected to accusations of bribery and to threats by the objects of his intelligence work, although it has been stated that in fact this was done due to his refusal to accept bribes or to be threatened by these subjects.
	Hopkinson was successful in infiltrating the Ghadarite movement after its conception, and in 1914 he was involved in the [[Komagata Maru incident]].<ref name=Campbell>{{Harvnb\|Campbell\|1999\|P=}}</ref>		Hopkinson was successful in infiltrating the Ghadarite movement after its conception, and in 1914 he was involved in the [[Komagata Maru incident\|''Komagata Maru'' incident]].<ref name=Campbell>{{Harvnb\|Campbell\|1999\|P=}}</ref>

	{{Canadian citizenship}}		{{Canadian citizenship}}

	==Komagata Maru incident and aftermath==		==''Komagata Maru'' incident and aftermath==
	During the incident, he acted as an interpreter for the Immigration Branch when passengers were questioned.		During the incident, he acted as an interpreter for the Immigration Branch when passengers were questioned.

	In mid-July, 1914, prior to the departure of the Komagata Maru, a local [[Ghadar Party\|Ghadarite]], [[Mewa Singh Lopoke\|Mewa Singh]], was arrested while re-entering Canada from [[Sumas, Washington]], attempting to bring weapons into Canada. Hopkinson helped to secure his release with a minor fine. This further illustrated the integrity and upholding of the law by William C. Hopkinson - a life long policeman - to assist and help his Indian countrymen.		In mid-July, 1914, prior to the departure of the ''[[Komagata Maru]]'', a local [[Ghadar Party\|Ghadarite]], [[Mewa Singh Lopoke\|Mewa Singh]], was arrested while re-entering Canada from [[Sumas, Washington]], attempting to bring weapons into Canada. Hopkinson helped to secure his release with a minor fine. This further illustrated the integrity and upholding of the law by William C. Hopkinson{{snd}} a life-long policeman{{snd}} to assist and help his Indian countrymen.

	On ~~Aug.~~ 31, 1914, one of Hopkinson's informants, Harnam Singh, was found murdered in Vancouver. On ~~Sept.~~ 3~~, 1914~~, another informant, Arjan Singh was shot dead in Vancouver. On ~~Sept.~~ 5~~, 1914~~, another informant, Bela Singh, was arrested and subsequently charged with murder for killing two local Ghaderites, in what he claimed was self-~~defense~~ as he along with other law-abiding citizens were being murdered in a separatist effort to remove any informants that could interfere with their radical separatist efforts.		On August 31, 1914, one of Hopkinson's informants, Harnam Singh, was found murdered in Vancouver. On September 3, another informant, Arjan Singh, was shot dead in Vancouver. On September 5, another informant, Bela Singh, was arrested and subsequently charged with murder for killing two local Ghaderites, in what he claimed was self-defence as he along with other law-abiding citizens were being murdered in a separatist effort to remove any informants that could interfere with their radical separatist efforts.

	==Death==		==Death==
	{{context\|section\|date=September 2017}} <!-- The context around Hopkins' assassination is jumbled. -->		{{context\|section\|date=September 2017}} <!-- The context around Hopkins' assassination is jumbled. -->
	On ~~Oct.~~ 21, 1914, Hopkinson attended the provincial courthouse on West Georgia Street in Vancouver. He was there to testify at Bela Singh's murder trial, where he was expected to give evidence concerning threats made against Bela Singh, including death threats made by one of the victims. While waiting outside a courtroom, Hopkinson was assassinated by Mewa Singh. For Bhai Mewa Singh the turning came on September 15, ~~1915~~ when he witnessed a man named Bela (who worked as an informant for the Canadian immigration department) enter the Gurdwara on West Second Avenue and was ~~attached~~ and forced to shoot two Sikhs: Bhai Bhag Singh and Bhai Battan Singh. Bhai Mewa Singh like many Sikhs was devastated by this event especially with their source of weapons cut off and he planned to testify in revenge.		On October 21, 1914, Hopkinson attended the provincial courthouse on West Georgia Street in Vancouver. He was there to testify at Bela Singh's murder trial, where he was expected to give evidence concerning threats made against Bela Singh, including death threats made by one of the victims. While waiting outside a courtroom, Hopkinson was assassinated by Mewa Singh. For Bhai Mewa Singh the turning came on September 15, when he witnessed a man named Bela (who worked as an informant for the Canadian immigration department) enter the Gurdwara on West Second Avenue and was attacked and forced to shoot two Sikhs: Bhai Bhag Singh and Bhai Battan Singh. Bhai Mewa Singh, like many Sikhs, was devastated by this event especially with their source of weapons cut off and he planned to testify in revenge.

	However, Bhai Mewa Singh Ji ~~didn't~~ waver; he testified in court that Bela had shot Bhai Bhag Singh Ji and Bhai Battan Singh Ji from behind without any prior provocation. After giving this testimony Bhai Mewa Singh Ji claimed he was threatened once again by a mole named Babu who worked for inspector Hopkinson, although no evidence of this ever was provided. Bhai Mewa Singh continued to make claims he was told that the next time he was seen walking the streets of Vancouver that he would be shot dead.		However, Bhai Mewa Singh Ji did not waver; he testified in court that Bela had shot Bhai Bhag Singh Ji and Bhai Battan Singh Ji from behind without any prior provocation. After giving this testimony Bhai Mewa Singh Ji claimed he was threatened once again by a mole named Babu who worked for inspector Hopkinson, although no evidence of this ever was provided. Bhai Mewa Singh continued to make claims he was told that the next time he was seen walking the streets of Vancouver that he would be shot dead.

	Bhai Mewa Singh held inspector Hopkinson responsible for interfering in the efforts of the radical separatist group. And when Mr. Hopkinson was to appear in court on October 21, 1914 to testify in favor of Bela. Bhai Mewa Singh Ji went to court that same day and shot and killed inspector Hopkinson to prevent him from testifying. After shooting inspector Hopkinson, Bhai Mewa Singh dropped his weapons and surrendered to the authorities. Bhai Mewa Singh Ji was put on trial for the murder of Officer Hopkinson. The presiding judge found him guilty of killing an inspector and Bhai Mewa Singh Ji was sentenced to death by hanging.<ref name=Popplewell160>{{Harvnb\|Popplewell\|1995\|p=160}}</ref>		Bhai Mewa Singh held inspector Hopkinson responsible for interfering in the efforts of the radical separatist group. And when Mr. Hopkinson was to appear in court on October 21, 1914, to testify in favor of Bela. Bhai Mewa Singh Ji went to court that same day and shot and killed inspector Hopkinson to prevent him from testifying. After shooting inspector Hopkinson, Bhai Mewa Singh dropped his weapons and surrendered to the authorities. Bhai Mewa Singh Ji was put on trial for the murder of Officer Hopkinson. The presiding judge found him guilty of killing an inspector and Bhai Mewa Singh Ji was sentenced to death by hanging.<ref name=Popplewell160>{{Harvnb\|Popplewell\|1995\|p=160}}</ref>

	==References==		==References==
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	\| given1 = Harish K		\| given1 = Harish K
	\| year = 1980		\| year = 1980
	\| title = Revolutionary Organization: A Study of the Ghadar Movement. Social Scientist, Vol. 9, No. 2/3. (Sep. ~~- Oct~~., 1980), pp. 53-66		\| title = Revolutionary Organization: A Study of the Ghadar Movement. Social Scientist, Vol. 9, No. 2/3. (Sep.–Oct., 1980), pp. 53-66
	\| journal = Social Scientist		\| journal = Social Scientist
	\| doi = 10.2307/3516925		\| doi = 10.2307/3516925

imported>JJMC89 bot III: Merging :Category:Murdered Indian police officers to :Category:Indian police officers per Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2021 January 18#Category:Murdered police officers

2021-01-26T03:25:30Z

Merging Category:Murdered Indian police officers to Category:Indian police officers per Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2021 January 18#Category:Murdered police officers

New page

{{more footnotes|date=September 2017}}
'''William Charles Hopkinson''' (1880–1914) was an [[British India|Indian]] [[police officer]] and later an immigration inspector in the Canadian Immigration Branch in Vancouver, B.C., who is noted for his role in infiltration and intelligence on the [[Ghadar Party|Ghadarite]] movement in [[North America]] in the early 1900s.<ref>{{cite web
| publisher = UC, Berkeley, Bancroft Library
| url=http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/SSEAL/echoes/chapter7/chapter7.html
| title=Echoes of Freedom:South Asian pioneers in California 1899-1965.
| access-date=2007-11-11
}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Puri|1980|p=}}</ref><ref name=Jensen>{{harvnb|Jensen|1979|p=}}</ref>

==Early life==
Hopkinson was born in [[Delhi]] on June 16, 1880. His father, William Hopkinson, was then a sergeant instructor of volunteers at Allahabad. His mother, Agnes Hopkinson, may have been an Indian woman, who used a European name.<ref name=Johnson142>{{Harvnb|Johnson|1989|p=142}}</ref> Raised in India, he spoke Hindi, but did not speak Punjabi well. He turned to others for translation of materials written in the Gurmukhi script.

==Intelligence work==
In 1903 or 1904, he became an inspector of police in Calcutta. Hopkinson came to Canada in late 1907 or early 1908, officially on leave, but pursuing investigations for the Criminal Intelligence Department in India.

In February 1909, he was hired by the Immigration Branch (part of the Department of the Interior), as an immigration inspector and interpreter. He later became chief assistant to the Canadian inspector of immigration.<ref>{{Harvnb|Campbell|1999|P=60}}</ref> Hopkinson continued to work for the police in India. He reported to the Deputy Minister of the Interior in Ottawa and to [[John Wallinger|J. A. Wallinger]], Agent of the Government of India in London. He was also retained by the U.S. immigration service.

By 1910 Hopkinson was actively involved in monitoring the Indian immigration and the nationalistic separatist opinions and outlets in [[North America]], especially Canada, and was the principal agent responsible for comprehensive British intelligence in the Pacific coast.

He openly attended public meetings in British Columbia and down the coast in Washington, Oregon and California, to gather information on Indian nationalists and separatists. He used a network of assets to provide additional information on various terrorist & separatist groups. During that time he was subjected to accusations of bribery and to threats by the objects of his intelligence work, although it has been stated that in fact this was done due to his refusal to accept bribes or to be threatened by these subjects.
Hopkinson was successful in infiltrating the Ghadarite movement after its conception, and in 1914 he was involved in the [[Komagata Maru incident]].<ref name=Campbell>{{Harvnb|Campbell|1999|P=}}</ref>

{{Canadian citizenship}}

==Komagata Maru incident and aftermath==
During the incident, he acted as an interpreter for the Immigration Branch when passengers were questioned.

In mid-July, 1914, prior to the departure of the Komagata Maru, a local [[Ghadar Party|Ghadarite]], [[Mewa Singh Lopoke|Mewa Singh]], was arrested while re-entering Canada from [[Sumas, Washington]], attempting to bring weapons into Canada. Hopkinson helped to secure his release with a minor fine. This further illustrated the integrity and upholding of the law by William C. Hopkinson - a life long policeman - to assist and help his Indian countrymen.

On Aug. 31, 1914, one of Hopkinson's informants, Harnam Singh, was found murdered in Vancouver. On Sept. 3, 1914, another informant, Arjan Singh was shot dead in Vancouver. On Sept. 5, 1914, another informant, Bela Singh, was arrested and subsequently charged with murder for killing two local Ghaderites, in what he claimed was self-defense as he along with other law-abiding citizens were being murdered in a separatist effort to remove any informants that could interfere with their radical separatist efforts.

==Death==
{{context|section|date=September 2017}} 
On Oct. 21, 1914, Hopkinson attended the provincial courthouse on West Georgia Street in Vancouver. He was there to testify at Bela Singh's murder trial, where he was expected to give evidence concerning threats made against Bela Singh, including death threats made by one of the victims. While waiting outside a courtroom, Hopkinson was assassinated by Mewa Singh. For Bhai Mewa Singh the turning came on September 15, 1915 when he witnessed a man named Bela (who worked as an informant for the Canadian immigration department) enter the Gurdwara on West Second Avenue and was attached and forced to shoot two Sikhs: Bhai Bhag Singh and Bhai Battan Singh. Bhai Mewa Singh like many Sikhs was devastated by this event especially with their source of weapons cut off and he planned to testify in revenge.

However, Bhai Mewa Singh Ji didn't waver; he testified in court that Bela had shot Bhai Bhag Singh Ji and Bhai Battan Singh Ji from behind without any prior provocation. After giving this testimony Bhai Mewa Singh Ji claimed he was threatened once again by a mole named Babu who worked for inspector Hopkinson, although no evidence of this ever was provided. Bhai Mewa Singh continued to make claims he was told that the next time he was seen walking the streets of Vancouver that he would be shot dead.

Bhai Mewa Singh held inspector Hopkinson responsible for interfering in the efforts of the radical separatist group. And when Mr. Hopkinson was to appear in court on October 21, 1914 to testify in favor of Bela. Bhai Mewa Singh Ji went to court that same day and shot and killed inspector Hopkinson to prevent him from testifying. After shooting inspector Hopkinson, Bhai Mewa Singh dropped his weapons and surrendered to the authorities. Bhai Mewa Singh Ji was put on trial for the murder of Officer Hopkinson. The presiding judge found him guilty of killing an inspector and Bhai Mewa Singh Ji was sentenced to death by hanging.<ref name=Popplewell160>{{Harvnb|Popplewell|1995|p=160}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{Citation
| surname1 = Campbell
| given1 = Peter
| year = 1999
| title = East Meets Left: South Asian Militants and the Socialist Party of Canada in British Columbia,1904-1914.Vol 20, Autumn 1999. p 35-66
| publisher = International Council for Canadian Studies
}}
*{{Citation
| surname1 = Jensen
| given1 = Joan M
| year = 1979
| title = The "Hindu Conspiracy": A Reassessment. The Pacific Historical Review, Vol. 48, No. 1. (Feb., 1979), pp. 65-83
| journal = Pacific Historical Review
| publisher = University of California Press
| issn = 0030-8684
}}.
*{{Citation
| surname1 = Johnson
| given1 = Hugh J M
| year = 1979
| title = The Voyage of the Komagata Maru: The Sikh Challenge to Canada's Colour Bar.
| publisher = University of British Columbia Press
| isbn = 0-7748-0340-1
}}.
*{{Citation
| surname1 = Popplewell
| given1 = Richard J
| year = 1995
| title = Intelligence and Imperial Defence: British Intelligence and the Defence of the Indian Empire 1904-1924.
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=H44J2uDSE2cC&pg=PA160
| publisher = Routledge
| isbn = 0-7146-4580-X
}}.
*{{Citation
| surname1 = Puri
| given1 = Harish K
| year = 1980
| title = Revolutionary Organization: A Study of the Ghadar Movement. Social Scientist, Vol. 9, No. 2/3. (Sep. - Oct., 1980), pp. 53-66
| journal = Social Scientist
| doi = 10.2307/3516925
| jstor = 3516925
| issn = 0970-0293
}}.

==External links==
* [http://komagatamarujourney.ca/ ''Komagata Maru: Continuing the Journey'' website]
{{Ghadar Conspiracy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hopkinson, William C.}}
[[Category:1880 births]]
[[Category:1914 deaths]]
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in British Columbia]]
[[Category:Male murder victims]]
[[Category:Indian police officers]]
[[Category:People from Delhi]]
[[Category:Hindu–German Conspiracy]]
[[Category:History of immigration to Canada]]
[[Category:Assassinated Indian people]]
[[Category:People murdered in British Columbia]]
[[Category:Indian people murdered abroad]]
[[Category:Assassinated police officers]]
[[Category:1910s murders in Canada]]
[[Category:1914 crimes in Canada]]
[[Category:1914 murders in North America]]
[[Category:Immigration to British Columbia]]