Hughes, Robert John

If you can add any information about this soldier, please use the comment form at the bottom of this page.

If you would like to be informed of any additions or amendments to The Great War Project, please join our Facebook group.


The Great War Project navigation

Overview   A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   J   K   L   M   N   O   P   R   S   T   W


Robert John Hughes

20024, Corporal, 14th Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Killed in action, 18 September 1918, aged 32
Buried at Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, France

CWGC registered (Husband of Elizabeth Hughes, of Tyn-y-coed Rd, Great Orme Head, Llandudno)

Robert John Hughes, the son of Daniel Hughes and his wife Margaret Hughes (née Roberts) was born at Llangystenin on 9 June 1886. It would appear that the family moved to Llandudno circa 1890 for the Census of Wales for the following year records the family living at the intriguing address of “Back of No 11”, George’s Crescent. Robert John Hughes, recorded as John Hughes, was the eldest of three siblings and described as a scholar; his father was described as a carriage owner. In March 1893, (Robert) John Hughes was admitted to Lloyd Street School. The Census of Wales for 1901 records the family living at No 13 Council Street and John, now recorded with six siblings including Annie Hughes who later married Hugh Davies (qv), was occupied as an errand boy. On 26 December 1906, Robert married Elizabeth Roberts (b Llandudno 1887) at the Shiloh Chapel, Llandudno; he gave his occupation as a general labourer. The Census of Wales for 1911 reveals that Robert and Elizabeth lived at 9 Tyn-y-Coed Terrace, Great Orme’s Head. He was now an insurance agent. Sadly, the record reveals that the couple had lost two children.

Robert John Hughes joined the Royal Welch Fusiliers at the beginning November 1914. He enlisted at Llandudno and joined the 14th (Service) Battalion which was forming at Llandudno at the time. The 14th RWF was an element of the “Welsh Army” which became the 38th (Welsh) Division. The division moved to the Winchester area in August 1915 and disembarked in France in December 1915.

Robert John Hughes had been promoted to corporal and had survived almost three years of hard fighting before being killed in action on 18 September 1918 aged 32. On that day, the 14th RWF engaged the Germans at Gouzeaucourt at what would become known as the Battle of Épehy. He was buried about a mile to the west of Gouzeaucourt and after the war reinterred at Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, France.

Comment No 1 (below) indicates that Robert John and Elizabeth Hughes had, at least, two sons, the youngest named Daniel. The records for the Conway registration office show that Daniel may have been born in 1917.

Known memorials:

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

4 comments to Hughes, Robert John

  • Jennie Ross

    Hi…would you let me know how to post photographs? I would like to post one of my Taid Robert John Hughes. Thanks

  • Jennie Ross

    Robert John Hughes is my Taid – my mother was his daughter, Olwen Elizabeth (Olwen) who was born on May 26th 1915. Robert John (Jack) and Elizabeth (Bet) did have another son – also called Robert John (Johnny) who I believe was born in 1913 and Daniel (Dan) was born in 1917

    My Taid is buried in Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery but I believe that the information above about him being originally buried a mile to the west of Gouzeaucourt is incorrect. My Taid is buried in Plot III which is where the original burials are located in the Cemetery – I believe he is one of 55 that were originally buried there. It is a beautiful, immaculately maintained cemetery that my children and I have visited often over the last 35 years or so.

    I have a lot of letters that my Taid sent to my Nain during his time in active service. It would appear from these that he was involved in Field Post Office duties

  • Brian Hughes

    Robert John Hughes was my Taid and I am the oldest son of his youngest son Daniel Hughes who was named after my Taid’s father, I am privileged to hold his medals and War Grave records to be passed on to my son and grandson so his memory will live.

Leave a Reply

You can use these HTML tags

<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>