Thomas Hughes V.C

Thomas Hughes VC was a British Army soldier, and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Biography

Hughes was born 30 May 1885 in Corravoo near Castleblayney, County Monaghan.

He was 31 years old, and a private in the 6th Battalion, The Connaught Rangers, British Army during the First World War.

On 3 September 1916 at Guillemont, France, Private Hughes was wounded in an attack but returned at once to the firing line after having his wounds dressed. Later, seeing a hostile machine-gun, he dashed out in front of his company, shot the gunner and, single-handed, captured the gun. Though again wounded, he brought back three or four prisoners.

He later achieved the rank of corporal. He died in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, 8 January 1942, aged 56. He is buried in the cemetery attached to St Patrick's Roman Catholic church in Broomfield, near Castleblayney, in Co Monaghan.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum (Chelsea, England).