Hughes, E T
EDWARD THOMAS HUGHES
Remembered with honour Etaples Military Cemetery: Plot XXX, Row L, Grave 6A.
He originally attested 6 February 1913 in Watford to the Territorial Force for 4 years, and joined the 4th East Anglian Brigade, Royal Field Artillery: a labourer aged 17, 5’4″ tall, of Watford. He was declared a deserter 12 February 1915 and a Court of Enquiry was held 11 March 1915 reporting on the illegal absence and loss of kit. Meanwhile, he re-enlisted 15 February 1915 at Cockspur Street, London, into the East Surrey Regiment, now a labourer aged 19, 5’6″ tall, C of E. A trial by FGCM for fraudulent enlistment was dispensed with 26 October 1915. All former service forfeited on the trial being dispensed with, service towards limited engagement now reckoned from 26 October 1915. He was appointed Lance-Corporal 4 September 1916 and promoted to Sergeant 8 May 1917. He served with the B.E.F. from 29 May 1915 until he suffered a gun shot wound to the knee and buttocks 7 October 1917. He subsequently died of his wounds at 20th General Hospital, France. He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 2 July 1915. He signed a confession 16 October 1916.
There is a brief article about and a Death announcement for Edward in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 1 December 1917.
Son of the late Alice Leary GRANGE (formerly HUGHES, nee BULL) of Watford, and the late Thomas or Edward HUGHES.
His parents married 22 December 1894 at St Mary’s, Watford. Edward died 1899 in Watford aged 29, and was buried 9 October in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford. Alice remarried 15 October 1900 at St Mary’s, Watford, to Jesse GRANGE; she died 8 August 1914 in Watford aged 41, and was buried 11 August, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery. Jesse died 1929 in Watford aged 61, and was buried 21 October in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Edward was born 31 January 1896 in Watford, and baptised 15 March 1896 at St Mary’s, Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 5 he lived in Watford, with his mother, step-father and no siblings. On the 1911 Census, a labourer aged 15, he still lived in Watford, with his mother, step-father and one sibling.
Service number
L/11151Rank
SerjeantUnit
1st BattalionRegiment
Place buried
Date of death
13/11/1917Age at death
21Place of death
Memorial(s)
- 1st S.W. Herts Scout Troop [in St Mary's Parish Church Watford] (4)
- Abbot's Langley Herts War Memorial (17)
- Aldbury Herts War Memorial (1)
- Aldenham Herts War Memorial (located in Letchmore Heath Herts) (8)
- All Saints Church Croxley Green Herts (12)
- All Saints Church Harrow Weald Middx (2)
- All Saints Church Hertford (1)
- All Saints Church King's Langley Herts (1)
- All Saints Church Leavesden Herts (31)
- All Saints Church Witham Essex (3)