Robert John Gordon Hughes

He spent a period in hospital after being wounded in early 1916 (Boots magazine, April/May 1916). He is buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery (grave ref. lll.J.18).

Boots 'Comrades in Khaki', November 1915, 'Ashore and Afloat': 'Water prepared for Warriors. RJ Gordon Hughes of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers says, 'My time is fully occupied here in supervising the water supply of the Battalion. Each day the water is tested by my section of six men, all of whom have received technical training in the various modes of purification. The work is classified into a series of careful examination of the water. we have the Sedimentation, Precipitation, Clarification, Filtration, Sterilization (by heat) and Chemical Testing to deal with ... There are ... of the Welsh ... stationed here, divided into many brigades - RAMC, RFA, RE, ASC and RWF. The climate is healthy, and we get plenty of sun, and plenty of chalk dust also - indeed, when we return to camp after a long route march we look like a tribe of jolly millers ... We know that we shall be off to the front shortly ... and we have the faith that leads to victory.' (Nottinghamshire Archives, RB.38) Boots 'Comrades in Khaki', February 1916, 'By the Way': 'Lance-Corpl RJ Gordon Hughes and ... who are also on the sick list, have sent communications which appear on other pages.' His letter appeared under 'Giving and Receiving': 'L-Corpl RJ Gordon Hughes writes from the Welsh Metropolitan Hospital near Cardiff, where he expects to go undergo an operation because of internal injuries received during grenade work in France. 'My fortune', he says, 'is happier than that of many of my comrades, for some have lost limbs, and others the grand gift of sight.' At Christmas time he was at the rest camp near ---. and there the parcels sent from home reached him. He observes that it is impossible to exaggerate the gratitude and delight of the men on receiving these things. 'Anything for me?' is the eager enquiry of everybody: and there is the sad aspect of matters when parcels are there but no one to claim them. Perhaps someone remarks: 'Oh! Poor Billy, eh? Yes, he 'went under' last night while we were being relieved: put the parcel aside.'' Boots ‘Comrades in Khaki’, April/May 1916, ‘By the Way’: ‘Lance-Corp. RJ Gordon Hughes writes: ‘I am pleased to say that I am now allowed to walk about the ward with the aid of a stick. The wound is healing up rapidly, and I am practically free from pain. By comparison with many others of my comrades here I am very fortunate. The individual attention given by doctors, nurses, and orderlies so stimulates each of us that, should we be called upon again to do a further bit, we shall answer willingly.’ (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref. RB.38)