“Col A Hughes” as listed. Colonel Arbuthnott James Hughes was the father of Captain Alexander A Hughes who is remembered on the Bramford Memorial. He was born in St Marylebone, London on 14th September 1856.
Arbuthnott was a Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery Barracks at Aldershot in 1881. Ten years later Arbuthnott was married, to Caroline, and the family was living in Shoeburyness. No doubt he was stationed at the Artillery Barracks there. By this time Alexander (born 20th February 1887 in Woolwich) was 4 years old and had a brother, Phillip, of 4 months. Alexander’s father was now a Captain and could afford three servants of his own.
In 1911 Arbuthnott (now a retired Colonel), Caroline and Alexander (a Lieutenant), were living at Bramhope, Old Charlton, Kent near to the Woolwich Barracks. There were seven servants also at the address.
By 1914 Col Hughes and family had taken up residence at “Darmsden Bushes” (or just “Darmsden” in Kellys Directory) Tye Lane, Bramford. This field name appears on the plan of Bramford Hall estate in 1782 and the house is known as “Tye House” today.
It’s not known why the family chose to move to Bramford but it is possible that as a retired Colonel in the Royal Artillery he may have come out of retirement to serve in some capacity locally.
In 1939 he was living in Tunbridge Wells.
According to information on his Medal Index Card he entered France on 8th March 1915 and was Mentioned in Despatches
For the Kings Birthday in 1919 in the London Gazette Chancery of the Order of St Michael and St George 3rd June 1919 Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George for services rendered in connection with military operations in France and Flanders – to be an additional member of the Third Class of Companions, of the said Most Distinguished Order.
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