Arthur Francis Hughes was born on the 30 May 1872 in Oswestry, the son of Edward, a baker and confectioner, and Ann Hughes. He was the fifth of ten siblings: Edward, born 1862 (also a baker), Elizabeth, born 1867, William, born 1867, Mary J., born 1870, Alice, born 1873, Sarah, born 1875, Mariah, born 1876, Albert, born 1879 and Charles, born 1881. In the 1881 Census the family lived at 5 North Castle Street, Oswestry and were still there in 1891. On 17 June 1891 Arthur left home and joined the Army Service Corps.

Arthur attended a medical at Shrewsbury on 17 June 1891 when he was described as being 5ft 5ins tall with a 33 inch chest and weighing 132lbs. He had hazel eyes and dark brown hair. A character reference was given by the landlady of the Mad Jack Inn in Willow Street, Oswestry. Arthur enlisted at Aldershot on the 20 June 1891 with the rank of Private and the Service Number 10073. On the 16 June 1894 he was transferred to the 1 Company Army Reserves. During 1898/99 he spent several periods in custody. However, on the 9 October 1899 he rejoined the Army Service Corps under Special Army Orders.

From 21 October 1899 to 18 October 1902 he served in the South Africa War and was awarded the South African Campaign medal. During this period his record shows him having been arrested again and awaiting trial. On 6 November 1900 he was convicted and imprisoned for one month for drunkenness on active service. He returned to duty on the 6 December 1900. On the 27 April 1901 he was accidentally severely wounded by a sentry at Bloemfontein and sustained a gunshot wound in the back of his right shoulder. He returned from South Africa shortly afterwards. On the 23 November 1902, Arthur married Emily Price (b. 1874), the daughter of Walter and Maria Price of 16 Oswald Place, Oswestry. He left the army on the 15 June 1903 having served for twelve years.

At some time over the next few years Arthur and Emily emigrated to Canada. His enlistment papers show Emily was living at 36 Augusta Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. On the 20 September 1914 Arthur attended a medical in preparation for joining the Canadian Army. He was described as 5ft.5ins. tall, chest 34 ins. and of good physical development. He had brown hair, brown eyes and a dark complexion. He had a tendency to varicose veins and a dental plate in his upper jaw. A tattoo of an anchor was on his left forearm and he had a scar on his right shoulder. (See shooting accident whilst in South Africa.) His occupation was shown as a baker. He did not give a current address on his forms. He enlisted on the 27 September 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec and was assigned to the 106 Winnipeg Light Infantry, then transferred to the 10 Battalion Canadian Infantry of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. They sailed for England on 3 October 1914.

On his Attestation Form he describes himself as single and gives his sister, Mrs. Alice Jones of 19 Oak Street, Oswestry as his next-of-kin. The Canadian Virtual War Memorial show his details as: ‘Son of the late Edward & Ann Hughes; husband of the late Emily Hughes’ it is therefore probable that Emily died in Canada before Arthur Hughes enlisted. Arthur was reported missing on 22 April 1915 and was officially confirmed ‘presumed dead’ on the 23 August 1915. He fell at Kitcheners Wood during the Second Ypres Offensive. His body was lost and he is commemorated on Menin Gate, Ypres and has no known grave. He is also commemorated at St Oswald’s Church, Oswestry and also on the Canadian Roll of Honour.

Following Arthur Hughes’ death there was some controversy about his will. When in England Arthur had stayed with his sister on Oak Street – she had helped him and possibly had lent him some money, which he had promised to repay her. When on a weeks leave at Oswestry before embarkation to France he told her he had made out his will to her and that he would get £10 in land when the war was over. He would be able to sell it and see her right. His sister Alice gave a sworn declaration to the Canadian Authorities recounting this conversation. She also said that he had told other people, namely Samuel Thomas of 125 Willow Street and William Groves of 23 Lorne Street and they would confirm it. His original will had been made out to Emily, his deceased wife. The ‘land grant’ was one of a number of schemes by Canadian Authorities to assist returning soldiers – although Arthur’s understanding of them was not exactly correct.

CANADIAN ARCHIVES DEATH PAGE 875

Acknowledgement; LINK to – Calgary Highlanders

References and Sources

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