Edward (Ted) Thomas Hughes was born at 34, Feathers Street, Flint on 8th May, 1886 and baptised on 28th May, 1886 at St Mary’s Parish Church, Flint. He was the eldest of nine children to William Hughes and Sarah Ann (Bushell).
The 1891 census found Ted with his grandparents, Thomas and Jane Bushell at Gardeners Row, Oakenholt, but by 1901 he was with his parents at New Western Terrace, Oakenholt and was employed by the North Wales Papermill, Oakenholt.
He married Susannah Andrews at St Mary’s Parish Church, Flint on 12th September, 1909, and they set up home at 7, Gardeners Row. By this time, he was a galvanizer at the Shotton Ironworks.
They were to have five children: Sarah Ann (1910–1993); William Edward (1911–1915); Winifred (1912–1912); Lilian (1913–1917); Edward Thomas (1916–1993). Susannah had a son, George, born in 1904, whom Ted adopted.
Ted enlisted in Wrexham on 1st September, 1914 and landed at Le Havre, France on 18th December, 1915.
He died on 9th July, 1916 at No. 36, Casualty Clearing Station, of a wound in his right thigh received on the 5th July at the Battle of the Somme, France. He is buried in the Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt L’Abbe, France (Plot II, Row A, Grave 8).
He is remembered on two war memorials: Flint Town and St David’s Parish Church, Oakenholt. He is also commemorated on the North Wales Heroes’ Memorial Arch, Bangor. He is also remembered on his wife’s headstone in the Northop Road Cemetery (Grave 12, Line 23, South Side).
He was awarded the 1914–15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
For his memorial service at St David’s Parish Church, Oakenholt see Corporal John Bellis.
Ted’s father, William, died 30th July, 1934, aged 69, at New Western Terrace, Oakenholt, and was buried in the Northop Road Cemetery. Mr Hughes was a native of Flint Mountain but had lived in Flint for many years, and was well known and highly esteemed in the town. He was one of the oldest members of the Flint Foresters, and was employed as a drayman at the Kelsterton Brewery Company, Connah’s Quay.
His mother, Sarah Ann, was born at Bretton, Broughton and died 19th April, 1946, aged 81, at 401, Chester Road, Oakenholt. She is buried with her husband.
Susannah died at her home, 7, Gardeners Row, Oakenholt, after suffering a short illness, on 14th September, 1952, aged 69. She was buried in the Northop Road Cemetery with her children, William, Winifred, Lilian and grandson Barry Hughes, who died in February, 1953, just 5 minutes after his birth. Susannah was a native of Flint and had lived there all her life. She was a member of the Roman Catholic Church and an aunt to Private George Martin.
