The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. J A Hughes-Rees

John Anthony Hughes-Rees, of Newport, Pembrokeshire was born in the summer of 1920, the son of Anthony Hughes-Rees (1881-pre1939) and Anne Hughes-Rees (nee Davies 1887-1990).

He joined the RAFVR about April 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot (745790).

Called up on 1st September he was posted to 22 EFTS at Cambridge in December. He completed his training at 5 FTS and after converting to Spitfires, he joined 609 Squadron at Middle Wallop on 22nd September 1940.

He claimed a Me110 destroyed on the 25th and then crash-landed at Glastonbury with engine trouble in Spitfire L1008. On 7th October he destroyed a Me109.

Still serving with 609 Squadron in May 1941, he shared in the destruction of a Me109 on the 8th, damaged another on the 21st, destroyed one on 30th June and destroyed one and probably another on 8th July.

Above: Hughes-Rees in the background as Churchill visits 609 Squadron.

He was awarded the DFM (gazetted 8th August 1941) and commissioned in December. Hughes-Rees died of poliomyelitis on 30th April 1943 as a Flying Officer at 73 OTU, Abu Sueir.

He was 22 and is buried in Moascar War Cemetery, Egypt.

Photographs courtesy of Colonel C R Romberg RA, British Embassy Cairo.