Thomas Hughes (VC)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Thomas Hughes was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was 31 years old, and a Private in the 6th Bn., The Connaught Rangers, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 3 September 1916 at Guillemont, France, Private Hughes was wounded in an attack but returned at once to the firing line after having his wounds dressed. Later, seeing a hostile machine-gun, he dashed out in front of his company, shot the gunner and, single-handed, captured the gun. Though again wounded, he brought back three or four prisoners.

He later achieved the rank of Corporal.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum (Chelsea, England).

Reference

• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• VCs of the First World War - The Somme (Gerald Gliddon, 1994)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/ireland.htm) (Co. Monaghan, Ireland)

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference (http://www.victoriacross.net) with permission.