On This Day in Wembury – 18 th June 1921
Wilfred Thomas Hopkins, a 26-year-old solicitor’s clerk, died following a tragic fall on the cliffs at Wembury.
While climbing, the ground beneath him suddenly gave way. As he fell, his head struck a projecting rock, fracturing the base of his skull. He was taken to hospital in Plymouth but did not survive.
The case was reported in regional newspapers as a stark reminder of the dangers of the South Devon cliffs — admired for their beauty but treacherous if footing is lost. Even in an era before today’s coastal path signage and fencing, locals knew how easily a slip could turn fatal.
Source: Bridlington Free Press, 18 June 1921.
Curated and written by Wembury Waves using material from the British Newspaper Archive.
Entries are summaries and interpretations of historical newspaper reports.
Entries are summaries and interpretations of historical newspaper reports.