John Morris Hughes was born in 1898 at Oswestry. His father was Henry Hughes, a Corporation Labourer; his mother was Jane who worked as a charwoman. He had 15 siblings of whom 5 would die young. The family lived at 13 Oswald Place off Upper Brook Street. John would go to work as a collier at Chirk. In about 1912/13, aged about 15, John joined the 1/4 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry Territorial Force – he was subsequently awarded the Territorial Forces Medal. It is probable he had joined as a ‘boy’ soldier and didn’t go over to France until 1916 when he had turned 18.

John died of wounds on 24 August 1918 at No. 1 CCS at Chocques. He was likely wounded sometime between 10-17 August. At that time the battalion was operating around Locon about 5km to the north of Béthune. As part of the general advance the battalion was involved in patrolling and advancing the front line. Casualties for the tour were 70 ORs KIA & wounded, potentially due to gas.  The area was covered in standing corn which prevented the gas from dispersing. It is likely that John Hughes was gassed during this time and later died of wounds on 24 August. He was buried at Chocques Military Cemetery. He is also commemorated at St Oswald’s Church, Oswestry.

His brothers also served, Henry had joined the RAF and was stationed on the east coast, and George was with the East Yorkshire Regiment and was a PoW. Both survived the war.

Acknowledgements.

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