Hugh Hughes was born circa 1885, the son of Hugh and Sarah Hughes and first appears on the 1891 census and the family were living at 25, Castle Street, Flint, Flintshire (2 rooms). Head of the household was Hugh HUGHES, 36 a “Fireman in Chemicals” had been born in Rhyl, Flintshire, his wife Sarah, 32 and the 3 children had all been born in Flint. They were Sarah J.,11, Thomas J. 9, and Hugh, 7. On the 1881 census they had lived at Piercey’s Terrace, Flint, Flintshire and daughter Sarah Jane was shown as Sarah Ann age 1. Everything else fitted.
Hugh is not on the 1901 census with the family, they were living at 9, Herbert Street, Lostock Gralam, Northwich, Cheshire but father Hugh, now 46 was still working with Chemical as a Labourer, Sarah his wife, 42 and Thomas J. 20, single and a clogger, with new son Isaac, 7, made up the family. Both Sarah Jane and son Hugh were missing.
I think that Isaac was working in Queensferry on the 1911 census and living with the Tullock family at Davies Cottages, Pentre, Hawarden, Flintshire – In the household of William Arthur TULLOCK, his wife and 4 sons was Isaac HUGHES, Lodger 18 Labourer in Shipyard, Queensferry, born Chemistry, Hawarden.*
* Mr. TULLOCK would have filled this census form in and so may not have asked Isaac or maybe quessed!
Up to now I cannot find either Sarah Jane or Hugh Hughes on the 1911 census, but Hugh must have come to live in Garden City, as his Attestation Papers tell us that he is living at 16, Kingsley? Rd, Garden City when he enlisted in Flint on the 7th March 1915, but signed the forms on the 8th March 1915 in Llandudno, he gave his age as 30 years 7 months, he was unmarried and a Labourer. His height – 5 ft 6 inches, chest measurement when fully expanded – 37 inches, range of expansion 2 inches and Next of Kin – Sarah J. HUGHES, Sister, Mount Pleasant, Llandudno.
His attestation Papers also tell us he rose from Private when he joined on the 6th March 1915 (other papers give different dates only days apart), then 19th Promoted Lce/Cpl 1st February 1916, then Promoted Cpl. 27th May 1916 and then sadly he was Killed in Action – France Sgt. 8th October 1918.
His medical Papers tell us he needed dental treatment and there are quite a few mentions of Myalgia (pain in one or more muscles) and on the 11th July 1916 he had a gun -shot wound to his forehead and more entries but nothing serious, just a stye on Hugh’s right eye and Defect Vision.
After Hugh’s death his sister Sarah Jane Thomas (nee Hughes) had papers regarding receiving his Memorial Scroll, King’s Message with her address as 8, Mount Pleasant, Llandudno and Sarah his mother had letters regarding his medals, and also his few personal possessions – They were 1 Religious Book, 1 Letter and a Calico Bag. The latter papers were sent to Hugh’s mother c/o The Master, Hawarden Union, Broughton, the local Workhouse to the Deeside area and she signed with an X the Master E.A. Knight having written her name etc., this was in the years 1920/21.
Another paper tell us that he had 2 brothers, Thomas John, 39, but no known address and Isaac, no age stated who lived at 1, Off Park Rd., Eaton Park, Nr. Chester. His only sister was Sarah Jane Hughes, and who was now Thomas. Form filled in and signed by Sarah Jane THOMAS, Sister, 8, Mt. Pleasant, Penrhynside, Llandudno at Penrhynside on the 6th day of March 1920 and witnessed by N.D. POWELL, Missioner in Charge of Church Mission House, Penrhynside, Llandudno.
Hugh Hughes in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells us that the Legatees’ were his sister:- Sarah THOMAS, who received £5 on 5th June 1919 and his mother Sarah HUGHES and who received £31 17s 4d, which included his War Gratuity of £24 on the 31st October 1919.
Hugh Hughes in the UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 confirms the regimental details above. And tells us that he lived in Queensferry and enlisted in Flint.
Hugh Hughes in the British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920, does not tell us where Hugh’s Theatre of War was nor when he entered it.
The Queensferry Chemical Works Roll of Honour states that Hugh died on the 26th October 1918, but this was done by a local Artisan and probably the date of death was wrongly given as all the Army documents state that he died on the 8th October 2016, but I still believe that this is the right soldier, however, if anyone can shed any more light on Hugh, please get in touch, any information would be gratefully received.