Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘1918’ D.S.O., ‘1916’ M.C. group of seven awarded to Major E. W. Hughes, 6th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Rifles)

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse of suspension bar inscribed ‘London Regiment. 1st January 1918’; Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse inscribed ‘Captain Edward William Hughes, 6th Bn. City of London Regt. (T.F.) 3rd June 1916’; 1914-15 Star (Capt. E. W. Hughes. 6/Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major E. W. Hughes.); Territorial Efficiency Decoration, G.V.R., reverse inscribed ‘January 1925’; French Croix de Guerre 1914-1917, with star on ribbon, mounted as worn but lacking pin, good very fine (7) £1,600-£2,000

D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1918.

M.C. London Gazette 3 June 1916.

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1916; 15 May and 11 December 1917; 5 July 1919.

Edward William Hughes was commissioned into the Territorial Forces 1/6th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Rifles). At the outbreak of war the regiment was part of the 2nd London Division, stationed at Watford. The battalion crossed to France on board the S.S. Marguerite from Southampton to Le Havre on 17/18th March 1915. The regiment was part of 140 Brigade in 47 Division and fought at the battles of Aubers Ridge (9 May 1915), Festubert (15-25 May 1915), Loos (25 September-10 October 1915), Hohenzollern Redoubt (13-18 October 1915), and Vimy Ridge (2 May 1916). In May 1915 the machine gun sections of the battalions of 47 Division were united into Brigade Machine Gun Companies, of which Hughes commanded the 1/6th London Regiment section which formed part of 140 Brigade Machine Gun Company, until March 1916. He was promoted to Major on 1 June 1916, and posted to the staff of 140 Brigade as Machine Gun Officer until March 1918, when he was posted as D.A.A. & A.Q.M.G. to 1st Division until the end of the war. In 1920 he rejoined 1/6 London Regiment as second-in-command and commanded it in the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel from 1925-28. He died on 17 November 1958, aged 79.