HUGHES, John

John Hughes was born in Blackheath and was married and living at 53 Olive Lane, Halesowen, in 1914. He volunteered for the Worcesters and joined the 4th Battalion. They returned from Gallipoli early in 1916 and were closely involved with the Battle of the Somme from its first day. In the Spring of 1917 they came back to the front line in the Battle of Arras which opened on the 9th April. On the fifth day the Worcesters entered the front line to defend the fortified village of Monchy-le-Preux which had just been taken. The German forces were repelled but Private John Hughes was seriously wounded. He was taken to a Casualty Clearing Station at Duisans on the western side of Arras and died of wounds on the 16th April. He is buried at Duisans Military Cemetery (III B 19) and commemorated on the Blackheath and Halesowen Memorials.