Serjeant, GS/62102, 12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), formally 2959, 1st City of London Yeomanry. Died, killed in action, aged 30, on 16 June 1917 at the Western Front.
(Note. On Holyhead's "Roll of Honour" Serjeant Hughes is linked to the "Hussars". This may have been an error or a reference to his earlier service with the London Yeomanry. No record could be found to associate him with the "Hussars".)
Enlisted at Knightsbridge, London. He initially joined the 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers on 10 December 1916 but transferred to the 12th Battalion on 13th December 1916. He resided at Chiswick at the time of enlistment. The 12th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers was initially attached to 73rd Brigade, 24th Division until 17 October 1915 when it was transferred to the 17th Brigade in the same Division. It landed in France on 1 September 1915.
At the time of Serjeant Hughes' death the 24th Division was involved in the Battle of Messines (7-14 June 1917) and subsequent actions. The Battalion War Diary describes an attack that commenced on the morning of 14th June on enemy dugouts north of the railway at Battle Wood and opposite Impartial Trench, in the general area of Hill 60. The attack was successful but some severe fighting took place. There were a significant number of casualties due to heavy machine gun fire and artillery. The battalion was relieved the next day but in all suffered 15 dead, 120 wounded and 5 missing. The War Diary does not record any casualties for 16 June. It is therefore possible that Sarjeant Hughes may have died (or be one of the missing) on the day previous. (Some records list his death as 15 June).
Born at Holyhead the son of Hugh and Margaret Ellen Hughes (nee Jones), of 15 Benbow Road, Hammersmith, London. His parents married at Holyhead in 1885. In 1901 he was living with his parents, older sister and younger sister at 42 Cambridge Road, Hammersmith, London. His father was born at Gwalchmai, Anglesey and was employed as a Carpenter and Joiner. His mother and siblings were all born at Holyhead. In 1911 he lived with parents, younger brother and male cousin at 53 Milton Road, Brentford, Middlesex. He was employed as a Clerk in the Public Health Department for the London County Council.
Awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.
Commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 6 and 8. He has no known grave.