Edwin Hughes was born in Bagillt, Flintshire during 1885.   He was the son of William and Ann Hughes of Morfa Cottages, Walwen, Bagillt.

Little is known of his early life but the 1911 Census shows at that time he lived with his sister Mary Davies aged 28 and her husband Robert Davies aged 29 at 1 Glanrafon Cottages, New Brighton, Bagillt, Flintshire.   Robert was employed as a Storekeeper at the Bagillt Lead Mine and Edwin, who was 26 years of age, was employed as a Collier at the Bettisfield Colliery.

On 6 July 1917 Edwin enlisted at the Recruiting Office, Mold as a Private in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.   His Record of Service Papers show that it was for the duration of the war.

Flintshire Herald Friday 10 May 1918 – Another Local Heroes Death.   The information has been received to the effect that Private Edwin Hughes who had been residing with his sister at Glanrafon, New Brighton, Bagillt had been killed in action during the recent heavy fighting.  One of the deceased comrades had forwarded home a photograph of relatives found on him at the time of his death.  He is a brother to Police Constable Hughes, formally of Lloc.  The sad intelligence was received with feeling of deep regret by numerous friends of the district and those connected to the Ebernezer Welsh Wesleyan Chapel, West End. Before enlistment he was employed at the Bettisfield Colliery.   

He is also remembered on The North Wales Heroes Memorial Arch, Deiniol Road, Bangor, North Wales.

There is a Flintshire Roll of Honour Card for Edwin Hughes at the County Archives Office, Hawarden, which contains details of medals awarded.  This was competed in 1919 by his sister Mary, who was by this time a widow.