Herbert's Story.
Birkenhead News 24 April 1918CLAUGHTON-RD SOLDIER KILLED.
Mrs. Hughes, of 110, Claughton Road, has received from Lieut. McLean, of the Victoria Rifles (Cans.), a letter, dated April 14th, conveying the intelligence that her son, Pte. H. Hughes was killed during a heavy bombardment on the 11th, and expressing his sympathy with her and the other members of the family in this bereavement. The letter states that Private Hughes was killed by a shell which directly hit a shelter in which he and another were located, death being instantaneous. He was buried at dawn next day, and the writer adds:- “His grave is marked and will be cared for.” The officer further says:- “Your boy died at post of duty, and was highly esteemed by all.”
Pte. Hughes, who was 24 years old, was formerly employed by the Cheshire Lines Company, and went out to Canada about five years ago. He enlisted in Canada for service in the war, and came over to England some fifteen months ago, going out to France a few months later. He had gained “stripes” in his training, but went out to France as a private.