Sergeant George Hughes MM.
L/18191 Royal Field Artillery 104th Brigade
Killed in Action 29th July 1917, aged 32.
George was born about 1885 in Burnley the son of Edward Thomas Hughes and Mary Rogers. His father died in 1901.
In the 1891 census George and his sister Elizabeth were living with their grandmother Ann Rogers at 89 Leyland Rd Burnley.
In the 1901 census the family was living at 29 Thurston St, Burnley. Mary 37, George 15, Elizabeth 17, Agnes 12 and William Moss a boarder.
On the 30th Sept 1901 George enlisted in the 3rd Dragoons, service No 5050. He gave his occupation as that of a Carter and he resided with his mother and sister Agnes at 43 Albert St, Burnley. He served on the home front until he was sent to South Africa on the 9th Oct 1902. He returned to the UK and more home service on the 26th Aug 1904 until his discharge on the 29th Sept 1909. He was then put on the Army reserve list until 29th Sept 1913.
By 1911 the family had moved again to 30 Helena St, Burnley. Mary 46 a widow, George 25, Agnes 22 and Elizabeth Waterworth (daughter) 27. Mary had been married 30 years with 5 children 2 of whom had died.
George married Mary E Jones in the Sept. quarter 1913, Burnley.
From the Burnley News dated 30th June 1917: BURNLEY POSTMAN – WINS MILITARY MEDAL FOR SERVICE AT VIMY RIDGE.
The military medal has been won by a Burnley Postman, Sgt George Hughes. The information to hand tells that the Sgt obtained his decoration for work done at Vimy Ridge. He was with the Canadians at the time when the Germans attacked them with gas shells. One of them hit an ammunition dump, and set it on fire. Sgt Hughes immediately extinguished the fire. Subsequently he was affected by gas fumes, but he recovered a few days afterwards. His post office colleagues are pleased to learn of the honour conferred upon him. He was a popular man amongst them. Before joining the County palatine Artillery, he served a portion of Burnley Lane with letters.
From the Burnley Express dated 11th of August 1917: MILITARY MEDAL IS KILLED. - FORMER BURNLEY POSTMAN.
Mrs Hughes of 22 August Street Burnley has had two letters informing her that her husband Sergeant George Hughes, has been killed in action on July 29th. One of the letters is from the chaplain of the forces. Writing on July ……..he says:-" it is my sad duty to inform you that your husband Sgt George Hughes 18191, of the RFA was killed by shell fire on Sunday. He was killed instantaneously, so that he did not suffer any pain at all. We buried him last night in a military cemetery, and his friends here or putting up my cross with inscription over it. We have here know very well you must be very proud of him."
A letter has also been received from the deceased major stating that deceased was killed by a Shell splinter which penetrated his heart. The major says that although he had been with that particular Brigade only a short time, they have learnt to value his services, and the men of all ranks would greatly missing.
Deceased, who was 32 years of age, was awarded the military medal about 2 or 3 months ago for Gallant conduct in the field. He had had a long service in the army before this war. He finished this service in 1913 and became a member of the postal staff at Burnley. In May 1915, he enlisted and he served in the county Palatine brigade, RFA up to me this year, when, following an attack of appendicitis he was transferred to the 104th brigade in which he had only been serving 26 days when he was killed. He has been through some very heavy fighting in France, and had been hoping for someone's past to get away on leave, but in this he and his wife were disappointed deceased was drafted to Egypt in the first instance, but went to France 12 months last March. It is worthy of note that the first day that he enlisted he got a stripe. Deceased mother resides at 30 Helena Street Burnley. His wife has three brothers serving in France. He was on the roll of honour at St Mary's Roman Catholic church and School.
Lived at 22 Oak Street.
George left his effects to his widow Mary.
George was buried in Dickebusch New Military Cemetery, Belgium: Grave Ref; II.E.12. Husband of Mary Ethel Hughes, of 28, Church St., Burnley.
