John Gethin Hughes

Born 13 Mar 1866 - Died 23 Jul 1954

Service number: South African 148 AWMM
WWI 15/2 AWMM
Also known as: Jackie Hughes AWMM
Armed force / branch: Army AWMM
Last rank: WW1 Colonel/Military AWMM Canterbury Infantry Battalion AWMM
War: South African War, 1899-1902 AWMM
World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM

Portrait of Lieutenant Colonel John Gethin Hughes, Archives New Zealand, AALZ 25044 5 / F2101 9. Image is subject to copyright restrictions.

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Biographical information

John Hughes was the son of mariner John Gethin Hughes and Mary Agnes McLean.

Attended school in Akaroa and Timaru.

Represented Hawke's Bay in rugby.

"During a farewell speech to his fellow Napier volunteers, Hughes stated 'he would rather be a trooper fighting for his country than the richest landholder in Hawke's Bay.'" (DNZB)

Became first New Zealander to be commissioned in the field, December 1899. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant.

"On 15 January 1900 he distinguished himself during a counter-attack against Boers who were trying to seize a hill (later known as New Zealand Hill) overlooking the British camp at Slingersfontein. For his gallantry during this hard-fought action Hughes became the first New Zealand serviceman to be appointed a DSO. He was one of the contingent's outstanding officers, and was mentioned in dispatches before his unit returned to New Zealand in January 1901." (DNZB)

Appointed assistant staff officer to the commandant and commissioned a Captain with the NZ Militia, 1901.

Briefly returned to South Africa in 1902 with the 10th Contingent.

"Prior to the First World War Hughes held various staff positions in the New Zealand forces. He felt, probably with some justification, that he was the victim of unfair treatment by Richard Seddon, the minister of defence; it was not until January 1907, after Seddon's death, that he was belatedly promoted to major." (DNZB)

Married Marion (Maisie) De Vere O'Connor in Wellington, 8 May 1909. They had two sons and a daughter.

Enlisted with NZEF, 5 August 1914, and served as Assistant Military Secretary to GOC (General Officer Commanding), Major General Sir Alexander Godley.

CO (Commanding Officer) of Canterbury Infantry Battalion, Gallipoli, 7 June - 10 October 1915. On 7 August 1915, Canterbury Battalion took heavy casualties when Hughes unwittingly chose to reform his men in an area dominated by a newly emplaced Turkish battery. (DNZB)

Promoted Lieutenant Colonel, 24 September 1915.

Posted to retired list and made an Honorary Colonel, 1917.

Heavily involved with the First New Zealand Mounted Rifles Association until his death.

The Auckland Museum Library's manuscripts collection (MS 2005/4) holds a letter (1 leaf) written by Hughes to Mrs [?Daisy] Tucker, dated 15 December 1919, thanking her for sending a copy of her late husband's war diary. DNZB states Hughes' birthdate as 13 March, whereas Haigh & Polaschek (1993) gives it as 12 March.

Father was named John Gethin Hughes. AWMM

Sources

External links: Military personnel file
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R20524658
Further Reference
Other military personnel file
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R18050698
Further Reference
New Zealand History online. New Zealand in the South (Boer) War
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/south-african-boer-war/introduction
Further Reference
Crawford, J. A. B. 'Hughes, John Gethin 1866 - 1954'. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, updated 7 July 2005
http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/
Further Reference
Wikidata Entity
http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q15998521
Further Reference
References: Haigh, J., Polaschek, A. (Eds.). (1993). New Zealand and the Distinguished Service Order. Christchurch, N.Z.: Authors.
St Clair Inglis, A. (c1902). Souvenir Album of the first New Zealand Contingent South African War. Auckland, N.Z.: Arthur Cleave & Co.
New Zealand Army Expeditionary Force. (1914-1919). Nominal Rolls of New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Volume I. Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
Page No: 348
Reville, Natalie. Papers relating to World War I soldiers George Edward Mudgway and Frederick Tucker. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS-2005-4.
Haigh, J., Polaschek, A. (Eds.). (1993). New Zealand and the Distinguished Service Order. Christchurch, N.Z.: Authors.
Haigh, J., and Polaschek, A. (compilers). (1993). p. 127.
The Evening Post
Evening Post, 27 July 1954.
Beattie, P.J. & Pomeroy, M. (2013-2020). Onward : portraits of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (vols 1-5). Auckland, New Zealand: Fair Dinkum Publications
Vol. 1: Includes portrait
Stowers, R. (2009). Rough riders at war : history of New Zealand's involvement in the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902 and information on all members of the 10 New Zealand contingents. Hamilton, N.Z.: R. Stowers.
McDonald, W. (2013). Honours and Awards to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Great War, 1914-1918. (3rd ed.). Hamilton, N.Z.: Richard Stowers.

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John Gethin Hughes