Private 203860 Harold Hughes

Killed in Action on Saturday, 28th September 1918, age 21.
Commemorated on Panel 6 and 7 of Vis-En-Artois Memorial, Pas De Calais, France.

1st/5th Bn., South Staffordshire Regiment. 137th Brigade of 46th Division.

Son of Samuel and Sarah Hughes, of 30A, Bridge Rd., Toll End, Tipton, Staffs.
Born: Wednesbury, Enlisted: Wolverhampton, Resident: Tipton.

First landed France & Flanders, post 31st December 1915.
Medal entitlement: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the St. Mark's Memorial, and Wednesbury Roll of Honour.
Commemorated here because identified as Tipton on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1743984/

Genealogical Data

1901 Census
77 Piercy Street, Wednesbury, Staffs.
Samuel Hughes (42, Coal Miner, born Tipton), his wife Sarah (38, born Tipton), and their 10 children: Alice (18, born Wednesbury), Samuel (17, Skelp Turner, born Wednesbury), William E. (15, Bell Cleaner, born Wednesbury), Mabel (11, born Wednesbury), Jane (9, born Wednesbury), Sarah (7, born Wednesbury), Job (6, born Wednesbury), Harriet E. (5, born Wednesbury), Harold (3, born Wednesbury), and Frank (6 months, born Wednesbury).

1911 Census
77 Piercy Street, Wednesbury, Staffs.
Samuel Hughes (54, Coal Miner, born Wednesbury), his wife Sarah (48, born Tipton), and 6 of their 9 surviving children of 16: William (23, Furnaceman, born Wednesbury), Job (16, Blacksmith's Striker, born Wednesbury), Edith (16, born Wednesbury), Harold (14, Spring Heater, born Wednesbury), John (4, born Wednesbury), and Doris (4 months, born Wednesbury).

Personal Data

After Harold's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £10/12/3d (10 pounds, 12 shillings and 3 pence); this was paid to his father, Samuel, in April 1919. His War Gratuity was £5/0/0d (5 pounds exactly), this was also paid to his father in December 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Harold had enlisted in approximately June 1917.

Action resulting in his death

Harold landed in France after 31st December 1915, but we do not know the actual date. We do know that the missed the greatest day in the 1/5th South Staffs history by just one day. The 1/5th and 1/6th South Staffs were part of 46th (North Midlands) Division who breached the Hindenburg Line when they forced their way across the St Quentin canal on the morning of 29th September 1918.

Unfortunately Harold was killed in action on 28th September. This would most likely have been from German artillery fire intended to disrupt the Staffordshire forces as they moved into their assembly positions on the evening of 28th September. Harold has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial.

Newspaper Cuttings

Birmingham Daily Post 15th November 1918
RANK AND FILE: MIDLANDS MEN.
KILLED.
South Staffords, Hughes, 203860, Hy., (Tipton).