James Hughes

He was the son of Thomas and the late Martha Hughes who lived at 60 Walker Street Sneinton Nottingham in 1920. In the 1901 census the family are living at - 11 Burke Street Radford Nottingham and are shown as - Thomas Hughes, head, 40; Martha, wife, 33; James, son, 19; Florence, daur, 18; Harry, son, 11; Arthur, son, 9; Lucy, daur, 6; Kate, daur, 4; By the 1911 census the family are still living at 11 Burke St, Radford , their is an addition to the family a further daughter Mabel. Soldiers Effects Register - Hughes, James, 2nd Bn Notts and Derby Regt, Pte, 9251, 20/10/14, in action; 6/12/1915 - £ 5-9s-7d 21/7/1919 - £3 war gratuity. both to father Thomas; Army Relatives form AFW 5070 sent 25/4/1919; Medals and death plaque sent to father Thomas, 60 Walker Street Sneinton Nottingham; Relatives form AFW 5080 - returned dated - 30/3/1920 giving surviving relatives as - Father - Thomas. All rest of form - none, except for 'sister 2 (no names) His service papers gave next of kin as - Father - Thomas Brothers - Henry and Arthur Sister - Florrie An enquiry was made to the medal office by brother J Hughes - 28/12/1938;

1901 - Newspaper vendor own account 1904 - a labourer. 1904 -1907 Regular Soldier Qualified Mounted Infantry

11 Burke Street Radford Nottingham

9251 Private James Hughes, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). James enlisted on 23 March 1904 aged 18 years and 9 months. He was 5 feet 4 inches and weighed 112 lbs. He signed a short service, 3 years with the colours and 9 years in reserve. On 24th, he was sent to the Depot and training. On 7 July 1904 he was posted to the 2nd battalion based in England. James was discharged on 22 March 1907, time served. The outbreak of war saw James mobilized on 5 August 1914 and he was sent to 2nd battalion, arriving in France with them on 8 September 1914. On 20th October, the second day of 1st Ypres, the battalion found itself at Ennetieres on the Belgium/France border. The enemy launched a major attack in overwhelming numbers and the situation was critical for the battalion who were thinly spread along their front line. As darkness fell, someone shouted that the Germans were behind them and upwards of 1000 enemy could be seen less than 300 yards away. The Foresters turned to fire on them when the enemy began firing from the front as well. Once darkness fell, the enemy began to dig in and a tense night for the Foresters began. By the morning what was left of the battalion, surrounded as it was surrendered. The 2nd battalion had in all but name, ceased to exist. At some point on 20th, James was killed during the intense fighting. Of the 75 men killed that day, all but three have no known grave and are commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial Belgium. The 2nd battalion casualty list - All ranks - 78 killed, 154 wounded, upwards of 500 prisoners of war. The battalion returned to Bois Grenier on 21st, some 51 strong, although later additions brought the total to 253 all ranks.

UKSWD cites 9351 as his service number and 1st Bn Sherwood Foresters as his unit but all other sources cite details as shown above on this page. Soldiers Died in the Great War (wrongly listed as 1st battalion) Hughes James, born Old Radford Nottm, enlisted Nottingham, 9251, private, killed in action, France and Flanders, 20/10/1914 An Old Contemptible