Lance Corporal 16819 Robert Hughes

• Age: 28
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: 2/6 KLR
• Died on Thursday 12th September 1918
• Commemorated at: Moeuvres Cc Ext
  Panel Ref: Sp Mem. C. 2

Robert Hughes was born in Liverpool on 14th July 1890 and was baptised in St, Michael’s R.C. Church, Liverpool, on 28th July 1890. He was the son of Thomas Hughes and his wife Mary Elizabeth (née O’Connor). Both parents were born in Liverpool, his parents married in 1883 at Christ Church, Edge Hill, and they had eight children, one of whom died young. Robert had older brothers Thomas, John, and Edward, and younger siblings Henry, Mary (Maria), and Francis. 

At the time of the 1911 Census the family is living at 14 Toft Street, off Holt Road.  His father is 53, and employed as a compositor, and his mother is 49.  Thomas, 27, works as a drug stores clerk, Henry is 18, is a motor mechanic, Mary is 13 and Francis 11. Robert is 20, a pianoforte repairer.  Robert completed an apprenticeship in 1909 with J.B. Cramer & Co., 26 Church Street, Liverpool, pianoforte manufacturers.  

Some time after the census Robert left his profession and went to sea. 

He enlisted in Liverpool on 2nd September 1914 as Private 16819, joining the 18th Battalion (No 3 Company) of The King’s Liverpool Regiment, and gave his occupation as a steward with the White Star Line (although he has not been identified on any crew lists of the time). He gave his age as 24 years and 31 days, and was described as being 5’ 5 and three-quarter inches tall, weighing 120 lbs, 36” chest, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair.  He gave as next of kin his father Thomas at 14 Toft Street, and stated his religion Roman Catholic.  He stated he has previous military experience: 1 year 2nd V.B. KLR and 4 years 6th KLR TF (Territorial Force).  

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

His service record survives and shows - 

13/5/1915: Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal

18/9/1915: Appointed paid Lance Corporal 

7.11.15: He embarked for France with his battalion and disembarked at Boulogne. 

19/12/1915: To 97th Field Ambulance, bad hands and feet

21/12/1915: Rejoined his unit 

02/9/1916: Awarded Good Conduct Badge for completion of two years’ service. 

13/8/1917: On leave to the U.K.

28/8/1917: Returned from leave. 

16/6/1918: To ‘H’ Base Depot 

27/6/1918: He was transferred to 2/6th King's Liverpool Regiment.

28/6/1918: He joined Battalion in the field. 

The battalion was involved in breaking the Hindenburg Line in the Battle of the Scarpe in late August and the Drocourt-Quéant Line in early September.

On 1st September the battalion took Riencourt, capturing 170 prisoners and 13 machine guns, incurring casualties 20 killed and 98 wounded.  Two men were wounded by a high velocity gun on 6th September at Hendecourt. On the 7th they moved to trenches at Inchy.

On September 11th two other K.L.R. battalions attempted to establish posts on the Canal du Nord, which stands roughly north and south about 1,000 yards east of Inchy. The ground had been excavated to a great depth, and very large banks constructed, but the canal had not been finished and contained no water. It was a formidable obstacle, being 20 feet deep in places, though the embankment had been pierced in places for roads and tram-lines.  The attempt to establish posts proved unsuccessful, and at 10.15 p.m. our "C" Company was pushed forward.

At 12.55 a.m. on September 12th we were warned that as many as three companies might be required to form a defensive flank north-east of Mœuvres. At 3.30 a.m. "A" Company was ordered forward with instructions to form platoon posts in Cemetery Trench, and to gain touch with the 170th Brigade on the right. It was now nearly daylight, and the company experienced the greatest difficulty in gaining its position, as there was no cover, and touch was not obtained with the 170th Brigade. At 6 p.m. the enemy counter-attacked on the Inchy—Mœuvres line, and "A" Company, finding itself being outflanked, after hard fighting was obliged to withdraw. In the course of this movement one officer, and seven men were killed, and twenty-one men wounded.

Robert was one of those killed in action. He was 28 years of age. 

He now rests at Moeuvres Communal Cemetery Extension.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 30th September 1918:

HUGHES - September 12, killed in action, aged 23 years, Lce-Corpl. ROBT. HUGHES K.L.R., fourth son of Mr and Mrs Hughes. - never forgotten by Dad, Mam and May 14 Toft Street, Holt Road.

HUGHES - September 12, killed in action, aged 23 years, Lce-Corpl. ROBT. HUGHES (our Bob) K.L.R., R.I.P. (Eternal rest give unto him, O Lord.) - Sadly missed by his Brothers Ted (in France), Frank (at sea), and Harry (discharged).

Robert's death was also reported in the Liverpool Echo on 01st October 1918:

“Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, 14, Toft Street, have received official notice that their son, Lance-Corporal Robert Hughes, K.L.R., was killed in action in France on Sept.12.  He joined the Pals at their formation in 1914, went with them to France, and was later transferred to the K.L.R.  His officer writes of him as a “stout comrade and a good soldier”.  Prior to the war he was employed by the White Star Line.  He is sadly missed.” 

Robert now rests at Moeuvres Communal Cemetery Extension where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"ETERNAL REST GIVE UNTO HIM O LORD"  

The CWGC Graves Registration report states, “Buried in this cemetery, actual grave unknown”. 

The British Extension, was made between September and October 1918 and was enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields on the Cambrai-Bapaume Road.  Of the 565 Commonwealth WW1 burials, 263 are unidentified but special memorials are erected to 31 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. 

Robert served for over four years and earned his three medals, which his father signed for in 1919 and 1922.  

His parents received his Memorial Plaque and Scroll and a War Gratuity of £18-10s. The pension card in the name of his mother shows that she was awarded a pension, amount unknown. 

In 1919 when his father provided information on Robert’s living relatives, Maria, 21, was living at home with her parents, Thomas, Edward, and Henry lived in Liverpool, and Francis was at sea. 

Sadly, Robert has not been identified on any local memorials.

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