Name
Edward Thomas Hughes
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/11/1917
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
11151
East Surrey Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY
Plot XXX, Row L, Grave 6A.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St James' Church Memorial, Watford Fields
Pre War
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.
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.
Wartime Service
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.
Additional Information
There is a brief article about and a Death announcement for Edward in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 1 December 1917.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
