Pte 21247 James Edward Hughes

• Age: 30
• From: Ashton in Makerfield
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 20th December 1917
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31-34

James Edward was born in Ashton in Makerfield in the March quarter of 1887 the son of William Hughes and his wife Catherine (nee Burns). His parents married in 1882.

The 1891 Census finds the family living at 9 Soughers Street, Ashton in Makerfield. James is 4 years of age and lives with his parents and four siblings. His father is a 37 year old coal miner born in Ashton, whilst his miother is a 29 year old also born in Ashton. His siblings are listed as; Nathaniel aged 7, John Albert 6, Joseph 2 and Mary who is 1. 

The 1901 Census finds the family still living at 9 Soughers Street, Ashton in Makerfield. James is 14 and employed as a colliery labourer below ground. Both parents are still living at the property. His father's occupation is shown as a caol hewer. James' siblings are listed as; Nathaniel aged 17 and a colliery labourer below ground as is John Albert aged 15, Joseph is 12, Mary 11, William 9, Jane 7, George 3, Ernest 2 and new born Maggie.  

By 1911 the family have moved to 399 Wigan Road, Brynn. James is now 24 and employed as a coal miner hewer. His parents advise that they have been married for 28 years and have had eleven children, nine of whom have survived. James' siblings living at home are listed as; Joseph 22 and also a coal miner,  Mary 21, William a 19 year old coal miner, Jane aged 17 and a weaver of calico, Ernest 12 and Maggie 10.   

He enlisted in Wigan on 09th November 1914 giving his age as 27. He is described as having a sallow complexion, with blue eyes and black hair. He was posted to the 13th Battalion of The Kings Liverpool Regiment as Private 21247. He served overseas from 26th September 1915.His service records show that he received 7 days C.B for being drunk on parade 23rd Feb 1916. He was wounded (Gunshot Wound to his right arm which caused  a fracture to right arm humerus) and returned to the UK for treatment via the hospital ship St Denis. He spent 49 days in hospital 9th May - 26th June 1917. He was treated at the 1st Western General Hospital. He was reported wounded in the Wigan Observer on 02nd September 1917 

He was granted Class I proficiency pay from 01st July 1917. 

He returned to France on 12th September 1917 and was posted to the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment on 21st September 1917.  

James Edward was killed in action on 20th December 1917 aged 30.

James' body was not recovered from the battlefield and his name is on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

Personal items returned:- 2 religious books, photographs, cards

Soldiers Effects and Pension to mother Catherine

He is commemorated on the war memorial at St Thomas the Apostle, Ashton in Makerfield.

We currently have no further information on James Edward Hughes. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.