Netherwood "Ned" Hughes (12 June 1900 – 4 April 2009) was one of the last two Tommies who served the United Kingdom during the First World War, along with Harry Patch, although Patch was the only one to have seen action. Hughes was also one of three British veterans still living in the country, with Patch and Henry Allingham being the other two. The Ministry of Defence has not confirmed his war service, but many First World War service records were destroyed in the Blitz during the Second World War.
However, the World War I Veterans Association invited him to the Cenotaph for the 90th Anniversary of the Armistice in November 2008. He did not attend as his family felt that the journey would be too much for him.[1]
He was born in Great Harwood, the fourth of seven children born to optician John Hughes and his wife Robina. He had three brothers: Charlie, Henry, and Sidney, who served in the Royal Navy on HMS Albion. Hughes spent most of his working life as a mechanic and driver and, in June 1918, he was called up, like every other driver in Great Britain, to perform that role in the British Army.[2] While he was still in training the war ended, and he returned home to drive in a mill.[1] He later became a bus driver. Hughes married twice, but never had any children, although in his final years he was frequently visited by his nephews and nieces and their families at his care home, Woodlands Home for the Elderly in Clayton-le-Moors, where he spent most of his time in the grounds, smoking his pipe.[2]
When receiving a birthday card from the Queen each year since his 100th birthday, he commented: "She has the same frock on".[2]
In his final few weeks, Ned's health deteriorated and he had difficulty speaking for a week before his death, according to his niece, Ann Hutton. He died of natural causes on 4 April 2009, aged 108, at Woodlands. Speaking to the Accrington Observer, Mrs Hutton said, "It’s not the family’s wishes for a military funeral. We don’t want bugles and whistles, we just want a simple family affair. He couldn’t stand any fuss on his birthdays."[3]
^ abBingham, John (20 November 2008). . The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 3 June 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2009.
^ abcKenyon, Lisa (20 June 2008). . Accrington Observer. Archived from the original on 27 May 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2009.
^Kenyon, Lisa (9 April 2009). . Accrington Observer. Archived from the original on 15 April 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2009.
January 01, 1970
netherwood, hughes, netherwood, hughes, june, 1900, april, 2009, last, tommies, served, united, kingdom, during, first, world, along, with, harry, patch, although, patch, only, have, seen, action, hughes, also, three, british, veterans, still, living, country,. Netherwood Ned Hughes 12 June 1900 4 April 2009 was one of the last two Tommies who served the United Kingdom during the First World War along with Harry Patch although Patch was the only one to have seen action Hughes was also one of three British veterans still living in the country with Patch and Henry Allingham being the other two The Ministry of Defence has not confirmed his war service but many First World War service records were destroyed in the Blitz during the Second World War Netherwood HughesNickname s NedBorn12 June 1900Great Harwood Lancashire EnglandDied4 April 2009 2009 04 04 aged 108 Clayton le Moors Lancashire EnglandAllegianceUnited KingdomService wbr branchBritish ArmyYears of serviceJune November 1918Unit51st Manchester RegimentBattles warsFirst World WarOther workMechanic However the World War I Veterans Association invited him to the Cenotaph for the 90th Anniversary of the Armistice in November 2008 He did not attend as his family felt that the journey would be too much for him 1 He was born in Great Harwood the fourth of seven children born to optician John Hughes and his wife Robina He had three brothers Charlie Henry and Sidney who served in the Royal Navy on HMS Albion Hughes spent most of his working life as a mechanic and driver and in June 1918 he was called up like every other driver in Great Britain to perform that role in the British Army 2 While he was still in training the war ended and he returned home to drive in a mill 1 He later became a bus driver Hughes married twice but never had any children although in his final years he was frequently visited by his nephews and nieces and their families at his care home Woodlands Home for the Elderly in Clayton le Moors where he spent most of his time in the grounds smoking his pipe 2 When receiving a birthday card from the Queen each year since his 100th birthday he commented She has the same frock on 2 In his final few weeks Ned s health deteriorated and he had difficulty speaking for a week before his death according to his niece Ann Hutton He died of natural causes on 4 April 2009 aged 108 at Woodlands Speaking to the Accrington Observer Mrs Hutton said It s not the family s wishes for a military funeral We don t want bugles and whistles we just want a simple family affair He couldn t stand any fuss on his birthdays 3 See also editList of last surviving World War I veteransReferences edit a b Bingham John 20 November 2008 New First World War veteran comes to light through internet The Daily Telegraph Archived from the original on 3 June 2009 Retrieved 29 March 2009 a b c Kenyon Lisa 20 June 2008 Old Ned s still in top gear for his 108th milestone Accrington Observer Archived from the original on 27 May 2009 Retrieved 29 March 2009 Kenyon Lisa 9 April 2009 WW1 veteran dies aged 108 Accrington Observer Archived from the original on 15 April 2009 Retrieved 24 April 2009 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Netherwood Hughes amp oldid 1184790001, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
