Herbert entered Guy's Hospital in 1905, having obtained an entrance scholarship in arts. During his student career he was a student demonstrator in physics, anatomy, microscopic pathology, and backeriology, and pathological assistant to the surgical registrar. He took the degree of M.B., B.S. of the University of London in November 1911, at the same time passing the examination for the M.R.C.S. Eng and L.R.C.P. Lond. After qualification he devoted some time to sudy in various special departments at his medical school. Subsequently to serving as house physician to the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary in 1912, he was appointed house physician to the Ciy of London Hospital for Diseases of the Chest, which appointment he held until 1st September 1913, when he commenced his work in West Suffolk. In July 1914, he passed the examination for the degree of M.D. in State Medicine in the University of London. Herbert was assistant county medical officer of health of West Suffolk when war was declared and received permission on the 10th August 1914 to volunteer for active service. He joined the forces at Devonport Barracks on the 15th as bacteriologist and pathologist to the military hospital there. On the 26th, Herbert sailed for France as Sanitary Officer to No 11 Base Hospital, in which position his friends did not feel any great anxiety for him. He was shortly after transferred to serve with the 1st Devon Regiment. Dr A H Bygott, county medical officer of health of west Suffolk wrote "By the death of Lieuenant Hopkins the medical profession, especially the sanitary branch of it, has lost one of its ablest junior officers. He was a man of high attainments, a sound physician, capable surgeon, and good bacteriologist. During the year he worked with me I formed the highest opinion of his capabilities, and had his life been spared I feel sure there is no position in his profession to which he might not have attained. His kindly disposition and pleasant manners made him a general favourite both in official and social life. Able, energetic, conscientious, and very thorough, his death is a calamity to his colleaugues and to the council he so loyally served." Herbert was the son of Alfred Richard and Emma Hopkins.