Arthur Hughes

[Gren]

I have recently found this site and thought I would ask the question that has puzzled me for a long time. Where would my father have have served. He never spoke about where he was at all.

My late father was in WW1 and was awarded the 1914/1915 Star which I think was awarded to those who were amongst the firast into France. Although I am not sure of this.

He volunteered, as many did when he was about 15/16 years old. As far as I can recall he joined the 6th Liverpool Rifles at the Barracks in Warwick Street, Liverpool. His Army No: was 686429. I think he was later in the Royal Horse Artillary. Again not sure of any deatils or how this came about.

To confuse things even more his Certificate of Employment During the War shows his Rank as Driver, his Regiment as RFA and his Unit as 390th Bty RFA.

I have been told that his records were lost during the WW2 bombing in london.

He also serveed in WW2.

Hope somebody can help.

George Hughes

[delta]

Goerge - welcome to the Forum

It would help us if we could have his name and date of birth

Stephen

[Adam Llewellyn]

Hi George,

Welcome to the forum. This is a medal index card for 686429 RFA James Callan. Could this be your father?

Regards. Llew.

[Chris_Baker]

Hello George, welcome to the Forum.

First, as your father served in WW2 you should be able to obtain a copy of his service record from the Army Personnel Centre, Kentigern House, Glasgow. They were not lost in the fire in 1940.

Second, you should be able to obtain his medals records. One part of this (medal index card) is obtainable online. But I can't see a man named Hughes with the number you have given. Can you tell us your father's full name?

By the way, you can find out a lot more at The Long, Long Trail (link top left).

Moments later ... as you can see from three quick answers, we have so many experts on the Forum now, you're in good hands.

[punjab612]

Hello George & welcome to the forum

If you post your fathers full name it would assist in finding any records for him

I have looked in the Medal Index Cards using the service number you gave but have only come up with a James Callan of the Royal Field Artillary with this number. Is this his WW1 number of WW2 number?

As he seved in WW2 his service records, including WW1, will still be with the MoD. They can be obtained by any descedent for £30 but will take about 6-8 months. This link http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/army.html gives you the contact details and how to go about it.

Peter

[delta]

"expert" = drip under pressure in my case!

[kevinrowlinson]

Perhaps Arthur?

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...p;resultcount=3

Kevin

[Gren]

My my. What a response.

My fathers full name was Arthur Hughes. His D.O.B. was 26th August 1897. His regimental No: in WW2 was 2050351.

From the information provided so far I will have to do a little more digging.

Thak you all for your interest and input.

[Gren]

Hi George,

Welcome to the forum. This is a medal index card for 686429 RFA James Callan. Could this be your father?

Regards. Llew.

That is intersting Llew. As you will see from my reply, my fathers name was Arthur Hughes. His WW1 No:686429 is clearly shown in his WW2 Soldiers Service Pay Book under "Particulars of Former Services".

[Gren]

Perhaps Arthur?

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...p;resultcount=3

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

As you will from the post his name was Arthur. I have looked at the link above which shows the Reg No: as 686249. My fathers number was 686429. Odd or what.

[Garron]

Prehaps a Typo?

Gaz

[MelPack]

Gren

Garron has hit the nail on the head:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...;resultcount=49

Regards

Mel

[MelPack]

Gren

Here is the MIC for you:

Regards

Mel

[MelPack]

Gren

I have checked the MICs available on Ancestry for the Arthur Hugheses that served in the Liverpool Regiment and the only one entitled to a 1914-15 Star is 8691 but he is marked as deceased.

It is possible that your father did enlist in the Liverpool Regiment during the early stage of the war but was discharged for being underage when reclaimed by his mother.

regards

Mel

[rflory]

His regimental number of 686249 indicates that he enlisted in either the 1/3 W Lancs Bde, RFA TF (later 277th Brigade, RFA in the 55th Division) or in the 2/3 W Lancs Bde, RFA TF (later 287th Brigade, RFA in the 57th Brigade, RFA). Gunner 1

[Gren]

Thanks to you all. A lot to be going on with.

George

[MelPack]

Dick

Gren mentioned that his father's Certificate of Employment indicated that he was a Driver with the 390th Battery which appears to have been part of the 172nd and 37th Brigade of the RFA during the Palestine campaign.

Would the transfer from the Lancs TF Battery taken place before being sent overseas?

Regards

Mel

[rflory]

It is very difficult to tell whether or not he transferred before or after he went overseas. 287 Brigade was broken up in February 1917. It is quite possible that he transferred to either 37 Brigade or 172 Brigade at that time (both of these brigades served with 75th Division in Palestine. Regards, Dick Flory

[Stebie9173]

This site:

http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/mm/army_service_numbers.htm

indicates that his post-war number was issued by the Royal Engineers.

Steve.

[daggers]

A bit early for serious thought, but Steve's suggestion of RE origin for the WW2 number leads me to this: I think 6th King's (TF/TA) were converted to Searchlights, when this was RE's responsibility, but later put into RA wwithin AA Command. Does that make any sense?

Daggers

[Gren]

Just found some further deatils on another document which is confirming that he was in the employ of Thomas Bennett & Co before August 4th 1914-:

It refers to - Driver Arthur Hughes No: 686429 (same as in Paybook and not 686249)

390th Battery

Royal Field Artillery

E. E. Forces Egypt

If, as it has been suggested that his number is/was a typo error it seems starnge that it would appear on two seperate documents as 686429.

[Gren]

A bit early for serious thought, but Steve's suggestion of RE origin for the WW2 number leads me to this: I think 6th King's (TF/TA) were converted to Searchlights, when this was RE's responsibility, but later put into RA wwithin AA Command. Does that make any sense?

Daggers

I an sure you are right about this as I have photos of him wearing an RE cap badge and yes he was in the TA and called out for WW2.