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Alfred Hughes, Charles, Drayton Street, Express & Star, France, Lime Street, Royal Field Artillery, Russell Street, South Staffordshire Regiment, Thomas Hughes, Willenhall, William Hughes
An article in the Express & Star which appeared on 4 October 1915 stated proudly that Mrs Hughes, of 4 Lime Street, Wolverhampton, had four sons serving with the colours:
- Gunner William Hughes, who had belonged to the Old Volunteers and later the Territorials, before joining the Royal Field Artillery.
- Sergeant Charles Hughes, who had also belonged to the Old Volunteers and later the Territorials, before joining the 1/6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment
- Corporal A. Hughes, who joined the Territorials a month before the outbreak of war, and was with the 2/6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment
- Private T. Hughes who enlisted immediately war was declared in the 1/6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment
This was the family of Joseph and Sarah Hughes. In 1891 and in 1901, they were living at 3 Russell Street, Wolverhampton, with children Lavinia, Joseph H. V., James, Mary, Ruth, William (born 1883), Charles (born 1884), Alfred (born 1888), Florence M., Edith, Thomas (born around 1897) and Albert. By 1901, William was a Glass plate worker, Charles was a brass dresser and Alfred was an Art Japanner. Thomas was only 4 years old in 1901.
Charles married Emily Squire in 1906, and they had at least three children – Elsie May, Charles Reginald and Arthur. By 1911 they were living at 2 Drayton Street, Wolverhampton, and Charles was a metal pattern maker at a brass foundry. A widowed Sarah Hughes appears at 4 Lime Street, Wolverhampton, in 1911, together with her remaining children still living at home – James, Tom and Albert Edward. By this date, Tom has become a Tailor’s Presser. I have not been able to confirm details of William and Alfred from the 1911 census.
I have also been unable to confirm William’s or Alfred’s military service details. Information on the other two brothers:
- Charles enlisted at Willenhall with the 1/6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 790), first as a Corporal and then as a Sergeant. He served in France from 5 March 1915, but was killed in action on 13 October 1915. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, as well as on the memorial of St Chad and St Mark’s Church.
- Thomas enlisted at Wolverhampton with the 1/6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment (first number 2301, and then 240286), rising to the rank of Sergeant. He served in France from 5 March 1915, but he died of wounds on 4 May 1918 in France, and is commemorated at the Etaples Military Cemetery. As is brother appears on there, he is also likely to be the “T. Hughes” listed on the memorial of St Chad and St Mark’s Church. An “A. Hughes” also appears on this memorial, so it is possible that at least three of the brothers did not survive the war.
She was mentioned in the Staffordshire Advertiser on 18 November 1916 as the Volunteer Reserve and other local military units attended a special church service along with the Mayor and other civic and military dignitaries.
Samuel was born in Wolverhampton in 1887, the son of Henry and Mary Martin. His baptism was registered 26 April 1888 at St Paul’s Church. In 1901 they were living at 10 Hallets Row, Wolverhampton along with Samuel’s brother James. By 1911, he was living at 12 Cleveland Passage, Wolverhampton with his wife Gertrude and children Samuel Alfred and Annie Gertrude. At this time, Samuel was working as an “Iron Sand Blaster” in a foundry. An article from the Express & Star on 25th February 1916 confirmed that he worked for Patent Axelbox Works, Wednesfield.
Tony Moon, who lives in Korumburra, a small town in the state of Victoria in Australia, emailed us in July 2016 about Thomas Mathew Cooper. Thomas was born in Wolverhampton in 1894, and served with the 58th Infantry Battalion, 5th Division 1st AIF. Tony Moon is a member of the Korumburra Local Returned Service League (RSL). In recognition of the Centenary of WWI the RSL has been researching their local Cenotaph over the last 4 years. 13 soldiers, including Thomas Cooper, who were not originally listed on the memorial, have been identified and their names added.
Tony Moon tells that Thomas’ brother Frederick Cooper was listed as his next of kin, and that by 1915 Frederick was living at no 33 Liscombe Street, Newport, Monmouthshire. He was apparently still living there in the early 1930s. Tony also tells us that, although Thomas Cooper’s time in Korumburra may have been brief, he did refer to the town as “his place of association” and that at the time of his enlistment (26 July 1915) he was working on one of the local farms.
Walter was born in Wolverhampton in 1878, the son of George and Ann Fletcher. In 1881, they were living at 50 Peel Street, Wolverhampton, with Walter’s siblings Frances H., George T. and Alfred. Walter married Elizabeth Lawton in Wolverhampton in 1903. By 1911, they were living at 123 Lime Street, Wolverhampton, together with three children – Frances E., Florence E. and Lilian. Walter had become an Insurance Agent. The couple had a further two children between 1912 and 1914.
Arthur was born in Wolverhampton on 7 January 1884, the son of Job and Laura Page. In 1891 they were living at 34 Gordon Street, Wolverhampton, with his siblings William Samuel, John, Job, Samuel and Sarah Louisa. Arthur was with his parents and brother Samuel at 5 East Street in 1901. Arthur had a son (Arthur Page Parton) with Olive Parton on 28 July 1905, and he married Olive in 1907. By 1911, they were living in Newport, Wales, and Arthur was an iron worker at a sheet mills.
Charles was born in Wolverhampton in 1897, the son of Richard and Hannah Sadler. In 1901 they were living at 89 Shepherd Street, Wolverhampton (Charles is listed simply as “Bernard), together with siblings Annie, Harry, and Clarence. By 1911, they are at 13 Ashland Street, with additional siblings Agnes, Mildred, Olive and Mabel. Charles attended Great Brickkiln Street School, “and was a most enthusiastic footballer, playing left back and being captain of the school for some years.” He had also played with Wolverhampton Old Boys, as well as playing for South Staffordshire against the R. A. M. C. at the Molineux Ground. Before the war, he worked at the Clyno Motor Cycle Works.
Wolverhampton's War 