BORN – Oswestry
HOMEFRONT – Place / Occupations
UNIT – 1 Bn Lancashire Fusiliers
RANK – Lance Corporal 18228
THEATRE – Gallipoli, / Second Battle of Krithia. 1 Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. 6–8 May 1915
DIED – KIA 9 May 1915
BURIED – Helles Memorial (grave unknown). (CWGC)
BROTHER TO:
Robert Madoc Hughes was the first of three brothers to fall in the war. His brothers were Private 9508 David E Hughes and Rifleman 7015 John W Hughes
Robert was born in 1889 at Oswestry. He was the third of seven children born to David and Mary Hughes; with the youngest, Albert, born in 1900. Their father, David, was a stone sawyer. In 1891 they were living at Hughes Yard on Llys Lane and by 1901 had moved to 25 Upper Church Street. Their mother died in 1902 and some time after they moved to 19 Orchard Street. In 1911 John had left home and joined the army.
Robert likely joined up in 1908/09 when he turned 18. He enlisted in 2 Bn King’s Liverpool Regiment (Peshawar Brigade, 1 (Peshawar) Division) serving as Private 9458. At the outbreak of war the 2 Bn Kings and 1 Bn Lancs. Fusiliers were both in India. The King’s men stayed in India throughout the war, but the Lancashires returned to England, arriving back in January 1915. It is probable that Robert transferred into the 1 Bn Lancs. Fusiliers at this time. From England the battalion moved to Egypt in March 1915 and from there on to Imbros, a main base for the Gallipoli campaign. The 1 Bn Lancs. Fusiliers took part in the Gallipoli landings at Sulva Bay on 25 April 1915 and then at the battles for Krithia. Robert was KIA on 9 May during the second battle of Krithia; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.
A fourth brother, Samuel Henry Hughes, served with 4 Bn Cheshire Regiment, he was wounded and reported missing in August 1915 but survived the war.
Robert’s brother John Walter was Brother-in-law to Private 5947 Alfred Steenton
Acknowledgements. Jayne Quince (nee Hughes) – family.
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