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Loptson, Svienbjorn. Enlisted at Montreal, Quebec, formerly of Edmonton, Alberta, and Selkirk, Manitoba. Occupation: student. Military Service: Lieutenant, MC, MM, Reg. No. McGill 227, 2nd University Co., PPCLI, Attestation Papers. Diary Reference: “Lt. [S.] Lockson [Loptson] killed also Col. [C.J.T.] Stewart at Cambrai,” 7:30 Nov ’18. According to Hodder-Williams, 82, Lt. Loptson died of wounds received near Tilloy on 28 [sic] September 1918.
Additional Biographical Information
Lt. Loptson was a sniper. For a glimpse into the type of work he did, see the War Diary of the PPCLI (December 1916). On 8 December 1916, the battalion was in the “left subsector La Folie sector,” [front lines between Lens and Arras] when the following incident occurred.
At 5 am a German patrol of 2 men approached our trench at the junction of Crater Line and Vernon Sap from the right of Vernon Crater. When within our wire they were fired on by our sentry and retired; they were also fired on and bombed from Vernon Crater.
At 8.30 a.m. Lieuts. Reynolds and Burness left Durand Crater to reconnoitre enemy post between Durand and Duffield Craters, but were observed by enemy patrol who retired. Our patrol returned to starting point and at 8.50 a.m. accompanied by Sniper Lopston went out again. They made a gap in the enemy wire by removing several frames and entered the post at 9.20 a.m. finding it empty. They damaged two sniping posts destroyed a number of bombs and returned with a pump at 9.30 a.m.
At 8.23 p.m. Sniper Lopston and 2 N.C.O.’s raided this post again and shot the sentry on duty. An enemy patrol of 12 men then approached and our patrol withdrew.
The Divisional Commander sent his congratulations to the officers and O.R. engaged in these raids and special leave was granted to them all.
7 July 1918: Another incident was involving Loptson was recorded a year and a half later in the PPCLI War Diary.
On 5th July Lt Loptson and 3 scouts left our line at 5 p.m. entered enemy trenches N.19 & 19.21 and proceeded for some distance in 2 directions discovered a bombing post and afterwards a light machine gun post occupied by 2 men. Both men were jumped by 3 of the party and immediately put up their hands, but refused to remain quiet and made so much noise that it was found necessary to shoot them. The noise attracted attention of enemy in other parts of the trench and rifle fire was opened up. Our party then made their way back under fire returning to our line at 7 p.m. without suffering any casualties.
4 October 1918: Officer Casualties in fighting 27 Sept. – 1 Oct as follows: - Killed & died of wounds: Lt. Col. C. M. T. Stewart D.S.O., Lieuts Knowling – Robins –Triggs – Ramsey – Loptson – Millyard – Mackay.
Date of Death: 29 September 1918. See casualty details, Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Buried at Ontario Cemetery, Sains-Les-Marquion, Pas de Calais, France. Grave reference: I.D.3.
