Born Greengates, Bradford, Yorkshire, 8 November 1887 . Son of the Rev. William Hughes (1858-1929) and Mary Rooks Hughes (1860-1939), of Hawnby Rectory, York. Son of a Clergyman. He had four brothers and four sisters.
Worked as a Clerk for the Midland Bank, boarding with Mrs Frankish, at 57, Westwood Road, Beverley. The bank (now HSBC) employed 5,000 staff in Britain and 1,100 enlisted in the war.
He enlisted at Beverley. Joined the Hull Commercials, as Private 10/165, 10th East Yorkshire Regiment. Served in Egypt and France. promoted to Corporal.
Commissioned on 28 May 1918, as Second Lieutenant, 6th Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment.
Awarded MC and BAR (two Military Crosses) for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In October 1918, After reaching the first objective he led
forward half his company with the barrage to exploit the success. This resulted in his reaching a farm, where he captured nearly 200 prisoners and six machine guns, after considerable opposition. He then reorganised his company and consolidated on the final objective His example kept the men steady and well in hand. (LONDON GAZETTE, 11 JANUARY, 1919)
Died of wounds, on 04/11/1918. aged 30. Buried at Caudry British Cemetery, France. Commemorated on the Beverley WW1 Memorial.
He is remembered on the The First World War memorial erected at the bank’s, Threadneedle Street, head office, in 1921.
https://history.hsbc.com/index.php/exhibitions/a-bank-at-war#breadcrumbs
