The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (459) 2/Lieutenant George Henry Hughes, 44th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Meleah Hampton, the story for this day was on (459) 2/Lieutenant George Henry Hughes, 44th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

459 2/Lieutenant George Henry Hughes, 44th Battalion, AIF
KIA 8 June 1917

Today we remember and pay tribute to 2nd Lieutenant George Henry Hughes.

George Hughes was born about 1875 in Daylesford, Victoria, the son of Albert and Jane Hughes. He grew up in nearby Gordon, where he was educated. In his early twenties, George Hughes went to Western Australia to try his luck on the goldfields. In 1907 he married Jane Veal, and two years later they had twins, Melissa and George. Both babies died in 1910, the same year as their sister Marjorie was born.

George Hughes had remarkable success on the goldfields, and became the owner of the Golden Zone mine in Boulder. He was a popular member of the community, serving for some time as the president of the Boulder City Football Club. He owned several race horses, including a number that were well known in racing circles.

In 1915 George Hughes and his brother-in-law, Richard Veal, manager of the mine, were involved in a scandal involving the illicit traffic of gold. George was later sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.

Following his release, George Hughes enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at the age of 41. From the first he proved an able soldier, and left for active service overseas in June 1916 with the rank of sergeant. He was first sent to England, where he attended officers’ school, and in January 1917 he was promoted to second lieutenant in the 44th Battalion.

On 7 June 1917 the 44th Battalion fought its first major battle at Messines. Hughes was the commanding officer of a platoon in C Company, and successfully led his men in the capture of their objectives. The following day he and his men were still working on consolidating their new position when he and at least two others were killed by an artillery shell.

Reports indicate that George Hughes was buried near where he was killed, with the battalion band serving as the burial party. However, in the confusion of ongoing battle, his grave was lost. Today he is commemorated on the Menin Gate in the Belgian town of Ypres.

Shortly after news of his death was received in Boulder, his friend Herb Armstrong received a delayed postcard from George. In his characteristically breezy fashion, Hughes wrote, “Herb, we had a day’s holiday, so we made a welter of it, eggs, steak and beer. Just fancy a whole day. Now boxing on again … what’s left of us are well.”

George Hughes left a widow and a seven-year-old daughter. He was 42 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among almost 62,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember 2nd Lieutenant George Henry Hughes, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section