Ref ID: 8594
Name
James Hughes.
Description
Newspaper Photograph of Rifleman James Hughes.
Life Story
Name: James Hughes.
Service Number: 9313.
Rank: Rifleman.
Battalion: 2nd Battalion.
Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.
Born: 12th September 1895, Shankill, Belfast.
Died: 7th May 1915.
Address: 15 Matlock Street, Belfast
.
James Hughes, son of David and Martha Hughes, lived at Matlock Street, Shankill, Belfast
.
The 1901 Ireland Census has James living at 56 Ewarts Row, Belfast with his mother, occupation, Flax Rover, father, General Labourer, and two brothers, David, 8 years, and Henry, 7 years
.
The 1911 Ireland Census has James living at 47 Fortingale Street, Belfast with his mother, Flax Power In Mill, two brothers , David, 19 years, Machine Boy in Foundry, Henry, Apprentice Foundry Iron Moulder. A Margaret Mitchell, 39 years, Linen Reeler In Mill, and Martha Mitchell, 2 years, are registered as Boarders within the house also. James occupation at this time is given as Machine Boy
.
James married Mary Hughes, Nee Sloan on the 13th October 1914 within St Anne's Church of Ireland Church, Belfast. His occupation is given as Private Royal Irish Rifles, and his address is given as Victoria Barracks Belfast
.
James joined the Royal Irish Rifles.
He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 28th December 1914.
James was a Rifleman in 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles when he was Killed In Action on the 7th May 1915 aged 19 years
.
A local newspaper states
.
News is to hand that Rifleman James Hughes, 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action at Hill 60, on May 7. Prior to enlisting, deceased, who resided with his wife at 15 Matlock Street, Belfast, was employed by Messrs Combe Barbour's. His mother resides at 19 Moscow Street, Belfast
.
James Soldiers Effects were left to his mother Martha.
His Will, signed and dated 20th January 1915 states the following, In the event of my death I give all my property to Mrs Martha Hughes.
A Pension Application Form shows his widow as claimant.
Dependant Pension Application Forms show his widow as claimant, having claimed for herself and two step children, and living at 10 Canmore Street, Shankill Road, Belfast. His father is also recorded as a claimant.
James widow Mary remarried a 4769 Rifleman David Nesbitt on the 20th September 1915, less than a year from her first wedding to James, and just 4 months after his death.
.
James received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1915 Star
.
He is Remembered at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
To Remember Is To Honour
.
Theme
Shankill Roll of Honour
Date
1915
Classification
Newspaper, , Photograph - Belfast Telegraph, Ballymena Weekly Telegraph
