Charles Melton HUGHES

Regimental number9889
Place of birthLabasa Fiji
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationFarmer
AddressAddison Road, Manly, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Next of kinFather, Thomas Hughes, c/o Colonial Sugar Refining Company, O'Connell Street, Sydney, New South Wales
Enlistment date6 March 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll25 January 1916
Rank on enlistmentDriver
Unit name9th Field Company Engineers
AWM Embarkation Roll number14/28/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A31 Ajana on 5 July 1916
Rank from Nominal RollDriver
Unit from Nominal Roll9th Field Company Engineers
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 8, 14 March 1918

FateReturned to Australia 12 June 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'SOMME- 4th to 8th April, 1918. This man showed considerable courage and devotion to duty when in charge of transport carting bridging materials along the SOMME near BOUGENCOURT on two successive days. During daylight he had to pass through heavy shell fire, and at night was compelled to go through machine gun fire. It was mainly due to his disregard for danger and personal effort that the bridge materials was got on the site.' Seconf description reads: 'At BOUZENCOURT near ALBERT on the night of 6th April, 1918, this man showed commendable courage and devotion to duty when in charge of transport carrying bridging material along the SOMME. He had to pass through very heavy shell and machine gun fire. It was mainly due to his disregard for danger and personal effort that the bridging material was on the site'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 1859
Date: 27 November 1918

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal