Hugh Thomas Hughes, Royal Army Service Corps

Hugh Thomas Hughes, Private (Driver), T/291298, 487 Company, Royal Army Service Corps. Died of natural causes at Holyhead on 1 January 1919 aged 42.

Private Hughes' Service and Pension Records confirm that he enlisted, aged 39 (?) on 16 December 1915 and was allocated to Home Service and placed in the Reserve. He was previously employed as an Insurance Agent. He joined up with the ASC at Woolwich on 22 January 1917. After about 6 weeks in hospital at Devonport suffering from a Duodenal Ulcer he was discharged as medically unfit on 28 October 1918. He died at 22 Stanley Street, Holyhead on 1 January 1919 aged 42. At the time of his death he was employed as an Assistant Superintendent for the Pearl Insurance Company. His wife was awarded a pension of £1.0s.5d a week for herself and one child.

He was born at Amlwch, Anglesey on 7 November 1876, the son of William and Ellin Hughes (nee Jones). He married Jane Hughes (nee Hughes) at Amlwch on 30 May 1899, when employed as a Miner. In July 1899 they sailed to New York, USA where he worked as a Slate Splitter. A son, John Grenville Hughes was born on 23 January 1901 at Grenville, New York, USA. They returned to Holyhead on or before 1906 when another son, Ivor, was born at Holyhead in October 1906 but who died in September 1909. In 1911 they lived at 6 Harp Street, Holyhead when Hugh was employed as a Furniture Carter. A daughter, Jennie was born at Holyhead on 3 February 1914.

Hugh Thomas Hughes is not listed on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour Register nor on the list of "UK Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919". As he died after his discharge his death did not meet the criteria for inclusion on these lists. However, the town decided that his name should be included on its Roll of Honour and the War Memorial.

He does not appear to have been awarded any service medals.

He is buried at Holyhead (Maeshyfryd) Burial Board Cemetery. Grave location Section 2. Grave 117.

With thanks to Aled L Jones for additional information.