Hughes, John

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John Hughes

56109, Private, 21st Northumberland Fusiliers
Died of illness, 4 November 1917, aged c 26
Buried at Étaples Military Cemetery, France

CWGC registered (Brother of Annie Thomas, of Nant-y-Gamer, Llandudno, Carnarvonshire. Native of Nant-y-Gamer)

ER COLLI EIN CYFEILLION YN YR IORDDONEN GREF MAE’N FELUS MEDDWL, ETO NGHYD CAWN GWRDDYD YN Y NEF

According to the records of the Commonwealth War Graves’ Commission, John Hughes was the brother of Annie Thomas of Nant-y-Gamer, Llandudno and that he was a native of Nant-y-Gamer. Annie Thomas was born Annie Hughes, the daughter of Elias Hughes and his second wife Martha Hughes (née Williams). Annie married twice: Edwin Edwards [qv]) in 1911 and John Thomas in 1919. No direct evidence has been forthcoming so far to indicate that John Hughes was the son of Elias Hughes though it is possible that Annie (b 1884) and John (b circa 1889) were brought up as if they were brother and sister. The Census of Wales for 1901 records Elias and Martha Hughes and Herbert J Edwards (11, described as a grandson, b Llandudno) and the Census of Wales for 1911 records Elias Hughes, Annie Hughes (26) and John Edwards (21, described as a nephew and a carter) living at Nant-y-Gamer. Whether Herbert J Edwards, John Edwards and John Hughes are one and the same person is presently unknown as records are elusive.

John Hughes’ service record no longer exists though it is known that he enlisted in Llandudno. It appears that he first served with the Army Service Corps. His ASC number of 216830 was probably issued around October 1916. It is not known where or when he disembarked in France but in around September 1917, he was compulsorily transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers and posted to the 21st (Service) Battalion (2nd Tyneside Scottish). This battalion had formed at Newcastle in October 1914 and had been in France since January 1916. His new regimental number was 56109.

John Hughes died of an intestinal obstruction on 4 November 1917 at the 24th General Hospital at Étaples. He was buried at the Étaples Military Cemetery. His effects were left to Annie Thomas.

Known memorials:

  • Llandudno Roll of Honour
  • Llandudno War Memorial
  • Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
  • Bethania Chapel, Llandudno

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