Lance Sergeant Leslie Hopkins was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during operations on the night of 15/16 April 1945 at Lake Comacchio, Italy. 

During Op. Impact Royal on 13 April '45, this unit landed from Fantails on the SW shore of Lake Commachio approx. three miles from Fossa Marina with the intention of advancing to the canal and capturing the bridges before demolition by the enemy.

On night 15/16 Apr.'45 an unsuccessful attempt was made to cross the canal by means of assault boats. It was unsuccessful on account of mud, strong tide, heavy casualties among personnel, and damage to all the craft except one by shell fire.

The first anxious moment occurred when this NCO's section Sgt became a casualty during the approach to the canal. L/Sgt Hopkins immediately protected this wounded Sgt with his own body, replying to the spandau fire whilst the casualties managed to crawl to safety. This was the first instance of this NCO's courageous actions.

Later on during this action L/Sgt Hopkins was in charge of the leading assault boat which was to cross the canal. In spite of heavy mortar fire which almost prevented the carriage of the craft to the canal bank, L/Sgt Hopkins encouraged his men with his determination to complete the task in such a manner that his craft was successfully launched.

Once they were in the water, however, enemy fire increased, inflicting casualties among his crew and also on the boat itself.  Added difficulties consisted of a strong tide, waist high mud and an enemy spandau position firing at point-blank range from the opposite bank. 

Once his craft had been damaged, however, Sgt Hopkins immediately returned to the craft assembly area to organize further craft being brought forward and it was only due to his splendid leadership and control of the situation that this task was completed.

Once again when in the water launching the craft, Sgt Hopkins was wounded in the wrist by mortar shrapnel but he remained in the water and refused to return to the bank until he had ensured that the following craft had been successfully launched and were put on the right route. He refused to be helped out to the bank until all the craft had been launched, and although he was slowly sinking in the mud and could not guarantee any assistance to help him out he remained their until ordered to be evacuated.

Even at this stage, although in considerable pain, he returned to his Tp HQ and asked for another task which he would be capable of carrying out with only one arm in action. He was in such pain, however, that his Troop Leader ordered him to return to the Regimental Aid Post.

Throughout this entire operation this NCO displayed courage over and above that which could normally be expected, both before and after being wounded. He maintained complete control of the general situation and the men under his command under appalling conditions in the canal when he himself was in grave danger of being drowned and under continual enemy fire.

His coolness, fearlessness and devotion to duty were factors which contributed greatly to avert disaster when the remaining boats started to sink, and his example throughout was one of utter fearlessness and determination to complete the task assigned to him.

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