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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Shropshire Lass on Monday 21 July 25 15:04 BST (UK)
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Looking for any help in finding out more about the WW1 service of John James Hughes, also known as Jack.
Jack was born in 1892 in Swyddffynnon in Cardiganshire to Jane James. When his mother married Stephen Hughes 1897, he took on the Hughes surname.
I have two newspaper articles that mention his military service –
In April 1919 there is an article welcoming three local men back home after being released from the Army. “Driver John James Hughes of the Royal Field Artillery…having served for almost the whole period of the war in Egypt first and latterly in Palestine.”
In August 1919 in a court report of an altercation with the police, Jack said that “he had fought for your sort for five years”.
I’ve found a medal card for a John J Hughes, RFA, No. 79096, for the Victory, British & 15 Star with service in Egypt recorded and the ranks of Corporal and then Driver which fit with the newspaper reports. Date of entry to Egypt was 20 July 1915.
There are medal cards for a couple of John J Hughes who served with the RFA and several for John Hughes but none fit the newspaper details.
Is Jack’s paperwork one of the many lost in the fire or can anyone find any other references to him?
I’ve searched in Ancestry and FindMyPast.
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79096 was John Joseph Hughes per the 1914-15 Star medal records
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Well that's confusing!
Added: Sorry, Shaun, forgot to thank you for looking that up for me.
Finding that a person isn't the right one at least stops me spending more time going down a wrong trail.
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How about Possible Gnr 260488 Jack Hughes RFA.
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There are 3 newspaper reports in the WNO which, I believe, reference your John James Hughes. These can be isolated by selecting the 1910-1919 decade & then specifying the Cambrian News via the drop down menu.
These selections should lead you to articles dated 24 December 1915; 7 December 1917 & 18 April 1919.
Of these the second may be particularly helpful as it refers to 'John James Hughes, Caledfryn' - which dovetails neatly with the same address recorded in respect of the 1962 burial for a John James Hughes in Llanfihangel y Creuddyn.
The first article also looks promising as it mentions him serving with the Cardiganshire Battery of the RFA. Promising because, the history in this link https://ww1.wales/local-military-units/cardigan-battery-royal-field-artillery/ reveals that the battery embarked for France 'from 20 November 1915'.
Which date in turn further dovetails with the medals card (in Ancestry) for J J Hughes 730751 (formerly 1842 - perhaps his original service number?) which shows that his 'date of entry [to France]' was 21 November 1915.
Willyam
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Which date in turn further dovetails with the medals card (in Ancestry) for J J Hughes 730751 (formerly 1842 - perhaps his original service number?) which shows that his 'date of entry [to France]' was 21 November 1915.
730751 was indeed a John James Hughes per the medal roll:
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/5119/records/2058850
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Thanks to both - willyam and Shaun. You've definitely nailed him down for me.
I haven't used the WNO before so thanks for the links.