I believe that John Hughes was born circa 1898 and was the only child of Thomas & Mary HUGHES, who must have died as Thomas remarried to Joanna MARTIN in 1913 in Lancashire.     John had 3 half-sisters, Joan HUGHES, 1915, Mabel HUGHES, 1916 and Dorothy HUGHES 1919 according to the Family History of bridgetlight2 on Ancestry.

John, 13, is seen on the 1911 census with his mother, Mary, 41, living at 310 High Street, Connah’s Quay, Flintshire (4 rooms).   Mary tells us that she had been married 21 years and 1 child had been born and was still living.  Both had been born in Northop Parish, Flintshire.

John’s father Thomas must have been “at Sea” as he was a Master Mariner, and I believe he is seen on the 1901 census on the “Deerhound” as Master: –   Place Sch. Delivered – Plymouth 30^th March 1901 – Position of Vessel at Midnight 31^st March 1901 – At sea, Bristol Channel.  Date when Sch. Returned to Customs Officer – 1st April 1901 Milford Haven

The 1921 census have revealed 3 census returns that shed new light on the story of John Hughes and Ethel Kate Parry his soon to be bride.   John is seen on the “Dalegarth Force,” on the night of the 19th of June 1921, when the census was taken.   He is the shipmate of Samuel Edward Parry, both Able Seamen, he was the brother of Ethel Kate Parry, John’s soon to be bride.  They were at Griffiths Wharf, Nr. Woolwich where the Census Schedule was collected.   John was now 24 years and 3 months old, and Samuel Edward Parry was 22 years and 3 months old, both born in Connah’s Quay.

John’s father Thomas Hughes and his stepmother, Joanna Hughes and their children were living at Mold Road, Connah’s Quay.   Thommas was head of the household and now 57 years and 9 months old He was a Mariner (Mate) with Thomas Coppack & Co., Shipowners* but was “At Home.”  Joanna Hughes was now 43 years and 1 month old and had been born in Eskdale, Cumberland. Their children were Joan Hughes, age 6 years and 6 months old, Mabel Hughes, 5 years 4 months old and Dorothy Hughes age 2 years and 1 month old. All the children had been born in Connah’s Quay.

* This is the company that owned the SS “Fairfield.”

Ethel Kate’s family are seen living at 72, Church Street, Connah’s Quay, her mother’s details are written on the page on the 2^nd line, leading me to think that Thomas Parry, w3ho was head of the household was on board a ship again, he was missing from the 1911 census too!   Elizbeth Jane Parry was now 49 years and 11 months old, Ethel Kate Parry was 24 years and 6 months old and a Dressmaker on her own account at home.  Tom Parry was 19 years and 3 months old and was a Sailor with Munro Brothers, Liverpool but was “Out of Work.”  Elizabeth Parry was 11 years and 6 months old and at school.   All had been born in Connah’s Quay.

I don’t know when John met Ethel Kate Parry, but suspect through her brother Samuel Edward Parry, but he married her in 1921 in St. Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay.

19^th October 1921 John HUGHES, 24. Bachelor, Mariner, 7, Mold Road., Thomas HUGHES Master Mariner & Ethel Kate PARRY, 24, Spinster, 72, Church St., Thomas PARRY, Master Mariner.

Witnesses:-  John BENNETT & Mary Ann HEWITT (By Licence).

They are seen again on the 1939 Register, which was taken on the 3^rd of September 1939, this source gives their dates of birth, living at 30 Church Street, Connah’s Quay.    John Hughes was head of the household, and his birth date was the 29^th of March 1897 and he was a master Mariner, Ethel Kate Hughes had been born on the 19th of December 1896 and was doing “Unpaid Domestic Duties.”   John Barrie Hughes had been born on the 30th of July 1925 and was at School.   There was one redacted or closed record.

John’s father, Thomas had died and his stepmother, Joanna Hughes and her family were still living at 7, Mold Road, Connah’s Quay and she was head of the household.  Joanna Hughes had been born on the 6th of May 1879 (1878) and was doing “Unpaid Domestic Duties.”    Mabel Hughes had been born on the 24^th of February 1916 and she was an Artificial Silk Spinner and single, her sister Dorothy Hughes*, had been born on the 5^th of May 1918 and was a manageress at a Drapery Department.

*I believe that Dorothy married Clare Richard Fullford on the 12^th of May 1945 in a Civil Ceremony at Holywell (Flintshire (Mold)HOL/68/47).

However, fate was to find John & and another Connah’s Quay man, Frederick Edwards, (who had married a Cornish lady and was living in Penzance) on the SS “Farfield” on that fateful day, the 15^th of July 1941.    Please click on the link to read his story, although he is not mentioned on the Connah’s Quay and Shotton WW2 War Memorial for some unknown reason.   However he is buried in Connah’s Quay Cemetery and has a Commonwealth War Gravestone.

If you click on this wonderful website http://www.rhiw.com/y_mor/shipwrecks/farfield/farfield.htm it will tell the story of what happened to the ship and crew, much better than I and I have permission of the owner –Tony- who said I could use his website.

The Steamer was Bombed by Enemy Aircraft off Welsh Coast when all the Crew were Killed. List sent 6^th January 1943. Amend. Sent 19^th April 1943.    30, Church Street, Connah’s Quay

In the Register of Deceased Seamen December 1942 was the CREW LIST

HUGHES, John – Master age 42 – 30, Church Street, Connah’s Quay

BOWLES, Vincent James – Chief Engineer age 66 – 41, Mount Street, Flint.

EDWARDS, Frederick – Mate age 36 – born Connah’s Quay – 43, Trevean Rd., Penzance

JENKIN, Alexander – 2^nd Engineer  age 30– born Newlyn – 27, Choyne Avenue, Newlyn

WARD, Patrick – A.B. age 28 – born Warren Point – 11, Charles Street, Warren Point

JONES, W.J. – Fireman age 48 – born Llanelly – 13, Covent Street, Llanelly

BENNETT, Harold (Herbert crossed out) O.S.age 19 – born Flint – 9, Lea Cottage, Flint

HUGHES, Thomas John  – Fireman age 65 – born Wrexham – Pentre, Queensferry, Chester.

Transmitted by the Owners:- J.W. COPPACK, “Westfield,” Church Street, Connah’s Quay

I currently have no information on Thomas John Hughes, so if anyone can shed any light on him, please get in touch with the website.   Please see his story – NOT on any Memorial(C.Q. & Shotton) on the website

This story must have been almost ‘normal’ in those war years, but it was a bad time to live through.

I am sure that John Hughes was sadly missed by his family and they made sure his name was put forward to be remembered for perpetuity.