Hugh Maurice HUGHES was born in the March Quarter of 1916, (Flintshire (Mold)FLNT/53/33) the son of Edward and Sarah Hughes (nee Jones), of Connah’s Quay, Flintshire.

I believe that Hughie’s family were living at 1, Waterloo Street, Connah’s Quay, Flintshire (4 Rooms) on the 1911 census.   His father Edward John Hughes, Head 36 Married (Married 9 years) Sea Faring (Away) born Flintshire (Edward must have been away at Sea.) was written down and signed by Sarah, 33, but crossed off the census by the Enumerator.    Sarah tells us that 4 children had been born to her, and were still living, she had been born in Flintshire.   Her mother, Margaret Jones, 74 and a widow, also old age Pensioner had been born in Caernarvonshire and was also Bilingual.  The children were Edward John, 8, Mary, 5, Margaret, 3, and May,1, all born in Flintshire.

The family, by 1921, were living at the same address, but Edward John Hughes (Snr.) is not on the census, and I have been unable to find him on the 1921 census, Sarah left a space for his name, so I am assuming that, perhaps, he was again on a ship on census day*.   I cannot find his death either, so any help would be appreciated.   Sarah Hughes had filled in the census form and signed it.   She was now 44 years old and had been born in Flint, Flintshire and was doing “Household Duties,” at home.   Her daughters were Mary Hughes, 15 years and 4 months old; Margaret Hughes was 13 years and 2 months old, and May Hughes was now 11 years and 1 month old.   Her young son, Hugh M. Hughes was 5 years and 5 months old, made up the family.   All the children were born in Connah’s Quay.

*You had to be at home at Midnight on Census Day, so she had left the space, thinking he would be back?

I do know that by 1934 May Hughes had married at St Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay on the 6^th August 1934.   Horace was the son of Joseph Ellames, who was an outfitter (Gentlemans) and had a shop on the High Street across the way from the War Memorial, if I remember my youth, at 10-12 High Street, Connah’s Quay.   May’s address was given as 1, Waterloo Street, Connah’s Quay, and her father Edward John HUGHES, was deceased, a Master mariner.

I do not know about Hughie’s early life, so if anyone can shed any light on him, I would be very grateful to add it to his story, so he won’t be forgotten.

The 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29^th of September 1939, shows the family living at 9 Glynne Street, Hawarden R.D., Flintshire, Wales, sadly Edward John, Hughie’s father had died, but Hugh M. Hughes (Hughie) birthdate was given as the 14^th of January 1916 and it also tells us that he was a Joiner and single.   His mother Sarah’s birthdate was given as the 5^th of January 1877, and she was a widow.   I believe that Hughie’s sister May and her new husband were living there, May Ellames (nee HUGHS) was a Ladies Hairdresser, and her birthdate was given as the 30^th of May 1920, her husband Horace G. Ellames was a Commercial Traveller in Butcher’s Outfitting, and his birthdate was given as the 18^th of July 1903.

In 1941 at St Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay, Hugh Maurice, age 25 a Fitter, living at 9, Glynne Street, Queensferry, father Edward John HUGHES (Deceased), Sea Captain, married Frances Minnie Baines, 23, whose address was 49, Dee Road, Connah’s Quay,  her father was Morgan BAINES, Steelroller.   The Witnesses were: – Horace Graham ELLAMES & Edith Mary BAINES.

The Royal Welsh Fusiliers Registers states that Hugh Maurice enrolled or was conscripted on the 31^st of December 1942 and it states – “Died of Wounds.” Burma 1^st July 1944.   Trans. To S. Staffs Regt. 2^nd May 1944 Docs. Passed 11^th October 1944 (X72/44).   This of course means that he had died before his documents got to the South Staffordshire Regt. Records!

A Casualty form, (Page 2) tells us that 14342673 Fus. Hughes, Died of Wounds, 1^st July 1944, while another Casualty List (Page 18) Corrections (Cont.)  from previous List No. 1502 Burma – Unit & Rank should read S. Stafford R. – Pte.

Chester Chronicle 22^nd July 1944 Pte Hughie HUGHES (28) DOW Burma CQ

DIED IN BURMA – News has just been received by his wife of the death from wounds received in action of Pte. Hughie HUGHES.    Pte. HUGHES, who was 28, was the son of the late Capt. And Mrs. E.J. HUGHES and in civilian life was joiner, having served his apprenticeship with Mr. T. FISH*.   His wife is the daughter of Mr. Morgan BAINES, Dee-road, Connah’s Quay.

*I remember him as the Local Undertaker – Author.

Frances Minnie’s father Morgan Baines was also in WW1, I have some Army documents for him.

I also believe that Frances Minnie married again in 1948 to Thomas Raymond Cottrell in a Civil Ceremony at Holywell (Flintshire (Mold)              HOL/70/123).

Hughie was well loved as his name was put forward to be added to the memorial, so he wouldn’t be forgotten.