Huthwaite WW Two Memorial
1939 - 1945 Remembrance
George Leonard Hughes
Pte 10572884 - Royal Army Ordnance Corps
attd. 1 Docks Operating Group, Royal Engineers
Killed at Sea 17 June 1943 : Aged 31
Brookwood Memorial - Panel 19, Col 2.
Huthwaite Online WW2 Remembrance
Private 10572884 George Leonard Hughes is discovered deserving additional Huthwaite War Memorial remembrance.
Medals presented by Mr Mike Cook left him wondering how these came into his unrelated possession. Generously offering to gift those onto any living descendant claiming rightful inheritance, can only suggest small chance tracing parental links elsewhere.
Pte G. L. Hughes is commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as a son of Charles and Sarah Hughes of Sutton-in-Ashfield. His medals had however been delivered to Mrs S Hughes at fuller registered postal address 38 Carnarvon Grove, Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire.
Sutton 1911 census can reveal other households thought recent borderline housing was still contained within far east limits of Huthwaite. The property first homes newlywed couple Charles Hughes born 28th February 1883, Kensworth, Bedfordshire, working as a Coal Miner Hewer, with wife Mrs Sarah Hughes born 17th June 1881 Ripley, Derbyshire.
George Leonard Hughes was born 7th February 1912. Next Sutton 1939 census suggests George was the only known child of Charles and Sarah, living with parents working as Yarn Warehouse Stock keeper, likely at the nearby Huthwaite CWS factory.
Private George Leonard Hughes qualified for September 1939 National Service conscription. Serving the Royal Army Ordnance Corps placed him among the Royal Engineers being transported aboard SS Yoma from Algeria to Alexandira. Two torpedoes quickly sank that transportation ship. Some lives were saved to recall that horrific u-boat attack from which few bodies were ever recovered. Hope of recovering any others could only eventually confirm another 450 troops alongside 29 crew had been killed at sea. Delayed notification might account for Pte G L Hughes missing any official Huthwaite or Sutton Roll of Honour listing.
Private 10572884 George Hughes was amongst those killed at sea dated 17 June 1943 aged 31. He was given UK roll of honour in Surrey, where the Brookwood Memorial later commemorated almost 3,500 similarly lost souls without graves.
07 May 15 by Gary Elliott Updated 07 May 15