The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. A J Hughes

Arthur James Hughes, from Stoke, Coventry was born in 1919, the son of Reginald John and Elizabeth Mary Amelia Hughes.

He joined the RAFVR about April 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training at 10 FTS Tern Hill and arrived at 6 OTU Sutton Bridge on 7th September 1940.

After converting to Hurricanes he was posted to 245 Squadron at Aldergrove on the 28th. He moved to 249 Squadron at North Weald on 10th November and then to 17 Squadron at Martlesham Heath on the 18th.

He married Esther Dora Whitehead in January 1941 in Coventry.

On 18th March 1941 Hughes was patrolling with Sgt. LH Bartlett when both were shot down and wounded near Uckfield by Me109s of I/JG1. Hughes was admitted to Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

He was commissioned from Warrant Officer on 12th August 1942 and promoted to Flying Officer on 12th February 1943.

Hughes was killed on 30th May 1944 whilst flying in Spitfire IX MH455 of 66 Squadron. It crashed near Shoreham whilst he was attempting to abandon it following radiator problems during a Ramrod against a radar site.

He is buried at St.Michaels, Stoke, Coventry.