Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Ballarat & District in the Great War

Lt Arthur Hughes was a complicated man. His life was a richly woven tapestry and yet I feel I have only scraped the surface in getting to really know him. I will leave it to the reader to judge if I succeed in understanding even a fraction of who he really was…
Born at Broomfield on 25 October 1885, Arthur Hughes was one of seven children and the fourth son of David Solomon Hughes and Esther Eggleston Vickers. His family origins were literally a north and south of England – his father’s family came from Huntingdonshire and London, whilst his mother, who was born at Stanhope in Durham, had a long generational connection to that county.

As a boy, Arthur attended the Broomfield State School. He was a particularly bright boy, good at sport and an able horseman. His intellectual aptitude made him a good candidate for advanced education – he continued on at Broomfield State School as a junior pupil teacher whilst studying for his teaching certificate.

Arthur was still in his teens when he experienced a nasty riding accident. It was a Sunday afternoon, 28 July 1901, and in the process of mounting, his horse shied and as Arthur fell, the horse kicked him in the head. Unconscious, he was carried to Allendale where Dr Samuel Pitcher attended him. Arthur was very lucky, and he made a full recovery.

In December 1904, Arthur sat the pupil teachers’ examinations (3rd Class) held by the Ballarat School of Mines. His results were published the following February and he was granted a full pass. He continued teaching at Broomfield State School until November 1906, when he was transferred to the school at Allendale. He had also joined the Allendale Rifle Club, which had a fine reputation in the area.

Around 1910, Arthur’s father, David, travelled to New Zealand to take up a position as a mine manager. He was away for nearly seven years.

When Arthur was transferred to the Pleasant Street State School in Ballarat, he boarded at Carver’s Hotel in Doveton Street. There he became mates with another boarder, Samuel Hore, and the pair shared a room at the establishment.

Events on 17 September 1912 were to destroy their friendship. An argument broke out between Arthur, Samuel and his brother, Harry Hore, after it was alleged that Arthur had directed a remark towards the waitress, Kitty Maloney. Apparently, he had told her to “pawn her dial,” adding, ‘You ought to be in Main road. That’s your “posi.”’ A reference, no doubt, to the prostitutes who frequented the area.

When the Hore brothers remonstrated with him, Arthur was said to have punched the pair of them, one hit breaking Samuel Hore’s nose. The subsequent court case saw Arthur fined £10, despite his older brother, David, who had witnessed the altercation, and another waitress, Annie Troy, giving evidence that indicated the ‘disturbance’ was far from one-sided. Nevertheless, Kitty Maloney’s comment that Arthur had ‘a face like a tomato’ was to headline newspaper reports bringing further embarrassment to the young school teacher.

Soon after this occurrence, the family purchased the house at 210 Drummond Street south – a beautiful, expansive period home with spacious rooms and large sash windows that allowed the light to pour in. Esther Hughes moved into town from Broomfield and the family was, for the most part, reunited once again.

Arthur continued to teach at Pleasant Street, where it appears he was very popular with both staff and pupils. To complete his qualifications, he took further examination to ultimately achieve a 1st Class State School teaching certificate. He also acquired his Junior Cadet Training Certificate, which enabled him to instruct his students in drill and other military matters. At the same time, he became a well-known member of the Ballarat Rowing club and a player with the South City Cricket Club.

Like many who were inspired to join the Australian Imperial Force following the Landing at Gallipoli, Arthur Hughes enlisted during the massive recruitment drive of July 1915. Intriguingly, as each of the successive waves of reinforcements arrived at the Front they received their own sobriquet: ‘The Originals,’ ‘The Dinkums,’ ‘The Thinkers’ and ‘The Rainbows.’ Arthur was, therefore, a Dinkum, someone who, despite the obvious dangers ahead, was still determined to do his bit. He enlisted at Ballarat on 7 July 1915.

Doctor A. B. Campbell conducted Arthur’s physical examination two days later – recording the following description: he was 5-feet 9¾-inches tall with a solid chest expansion of 36¼-inches; his complexion was dark and he had brown eyes and black hair.

Initially, Arthur was posted to A Company at the 9th Depot Battalion based at the Ascot Vale Camp, with the starting rank of sergeant.

On 16 October he was transferred to the 14th Depot Battalion at Ballarat and he was able to spend Christmas with his family. He then applied for a commission on 28 December. It is interesting to note the slight differences in his physical examination – he was about half an inch taller and could expand his chest to 37-inches. The medical officer on this occasion recorded his weight – a considerable 11-stone 11-pounds. His eyesight was also normal. After attending the 3rd and 5th Officers’ Training Schools, Arthur had qualified for a commission, which was duly granted on 17 January 1916.

Several sources noted that Arthur had been in charge of the ‘first Beaufort Camp’ for a period of two weeks. It seems, therefore, logical that this occurred during the early stages of 1916. He was then posted to the 11th allocation of reinforcements for the 24th Infantry Battalion on 10 March.

Finally, after what seemed like an overly extended time in camp, Arthur embarked from Melbourne on 21 March. He made the voyage to Egypt onboard the Royal Mail Steamer Malwa, a substantial, speedy ship owned by P&O Line that was at times also contracted to carry troops.

Arthur seemed to have cooled his heels in Australia for a long period, but his time in Egypt was to be quite brief – it was only a matter of weeks before he boarded the transport Ivernia at Alexandria on 19 May to sail for France.

When Arthur joined the 24th Battalion on 22 May, the unit was near Rue-Marle and Bois Grenier, and had been busy digging positions and laying cables.

The 24th Battalion arrived on the Somme in late July. The Battle of Pozieres had been underway for three days when they entered the trenches on 26 July. On the night of 4/5 August, the 24th took part in a series of attacks on German held positions near Kays Trench. Although the Allied artillery had put down a heavy barrage beforehand, a machinegun position in a hollow had been untouched and poured disastrous fire onto the advancing Australians, with 55 men of the 24th killed and many more wounded.

Captain George Matson Nicholas (a high school teacher who had studied at Ballarat’s St Patrick’s College) was one of those rare officers who could command utter confidence in his men. Accompanied by Arthur Hughes, Nicholas went out to locate the machinegun post. In broad daylight, the pair made their way across No Man’s Land under constant shellfire. They detected the position and opened fire on the German gunners, driving them away from the machineguns. According to later newspaper reports they killed 50 of the enemy, however, each gun was only manned by three men, so the number was certainly inflated. The dangerous exploit certainly wasn’t.

Arthur, who was already carrying a wound, occupied the post and held it with a bombing party and machinegun detachment. He then made a full reconnaissance of the area, once again under shellfire and in broad daylight. His work was so thorough it made a proposed night attack on the position unnecessary.

When George Nicholas recommended Arthur for a Military Cross, he made special mention of the junior officer’s fearless attention to both his duties and to the wounded during ‘all the heavy shelling’ whilst his company was in Kays Trench.

The 24th was relieved on 6 August and moved to bivouacs at Tara Hill.

Four days later, Arthur was detached for duty with the 22nd Battalion. The AIF suffered a significantly high number of casualties during the six weeks of fighting at Pozieres – the 22nd had nearly 200 men killed during its first deployment. In order to bring the battalion back up to fighting strength, a number of officers and other ranks were seconded from the 21st, 23rd and 24th battalions. Arthur was subsequently promoted to lieutenant on 12 August.

Shortly before the 22nd was relieved from trenches in Sausage Valley, Arthur was wounded by shrapnel that struck him in the left foot, damaging a toe. He was admitted to the 4th Australian Field Ambulance on 27 August, before being transferred through to the 2nd Red Cross Hospital at Rouen.

On 30 August, he was evacuated to England onboard the Hospital Ship Panama. The following day he was admitted to the 4th London General Hospital in Denmark Hill.

The wound to his foot was only slight, but the stay in hospital proved to be far more troublesome for Arthur. During September, he contracted rheumatic fever, a rare complication connected to streptococcus bacterial infection. All of Arthur’s joints were affected and his heart were badly impacted. Whilst the wound caused him no trouble, he developed heart murmurs and breathlessness. The damage was to bring an early end to his part in the war.

It was announced on 7 October that Arthur had been awarded the Military Cross for ‘conspicuous gallantry.’ The investiture took place at Buckingham Palace on Sunday afternoon, 29 October. Arthur and seven other Australians, including his officer, George Nicholas, were decorated by King George V. (Major George Matson Nicholas DSO was killed in action at Flers on 14 November 1916).

Writing from the 4th London, Arthur paid high praise to local politician turned soldier, David Charles McGrath.

‘…It is with very great pleasure that I write these few lines to you that you may inform (through the columns of your paper) the electors of Ballarat of the very fine work that their member is doing for the boys in London. I had occasion to go to Horseferry Road, A.I.F. Headquarters in London, on business. While there, I met Sergt D. C. McGrath, busy with boys of his own electorate, giving them all the information and help they required. I have heard from the boys, whom I know well, that Sergt McGrath, who was the soldiers' friend in the Ballarat Camp, is doing even better work here than there. It is a pity that A.I.F. Headquarters here did not have some more like Sergt Charlie Mac, whom the boys could depend on. He has made his presence felt since being transferred there, and can assure the people of Ballarat that if there is any information they require concerning the welfare of the boys at the front or on active service, and they write direct to Sergt McGrath, Room 37, Horseferry Road, London, the necessary information will be forwarded on at once…’

On 2 November, Arthur was transferred to the 6th Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Kensington Hill.
Captain-Chaplain W. B. Jessop, of Beaufort, met up with Arthur during this time.

‘…I was in London the other day, and went to see Mr Sinclair at the Red Cross stores, when who should walk in but our old friend, Lieutenant Arthur Hughes, the first officer to take charge of the Beaufort camp. I was delighted to meet him, and to have the opportunity of congratulating him upon the well-deserved honour he had won in having the military cross conferred upon him. Somehow or other I took it as a compliment to Beaufort. Lieutenant Hughes is looking well though somewhat thinner than he was when last I saw him, but doubtless the enforced rest he is now having will more than remedy that defect. The three of us had lunch together, after which I took a hurried farewell of them and a taxi for Waterloo station en route for Salisbury…’

Back in Ballarat a patriotic fundraising fair was held at the Pleasant Street State School on 9 December. Miss Vera Coulthard collected donations to provide the school with an enlarged framed portrait of Lieutenant Arthur Hughes MC. It was to be hung in the classroom, where Arthur had taught whilst at the school.

After several months in hospital, Arthur was finally discharged on 16 February 1917. Within days he boarded the transport Karoola at Avonmouth to return to Australia for a “change.” He arrived back in Melbourne on 10 April and was immediately sent to the No11 Australian General Hospital, Caulfield, for examination. The finding was that the rheumatic fever had caused muscular damage to his heart and he was unfit for further active duty. It was later recommended that he be discharged as medically unfit, and, on 25 July 1917, his appointment in the AIF was terminated.

Not content to rest quietly on his war-won laurels, Arthur used his voice to speak out against conscription. His addresses ‘created a great impression,’ but he was well aware that ‘the conscriptionists’ were likely to sneer at him with the cowardly epithets of ‘traitor’ and ‘shirker.’ Local politicians were becoming increasingly aware of the pulling power of a decorated officer on any public platform.

When Charlie McGrath returned to Ballarat from duty overseas, a grand welcome home was organised for his arrival onboard the evening train on 16 April 1918.
‘…A big contingent of returned soldiers, some in uniform and some in civilian clothes, paraded under Lieut. A. Hughes, and headed by Prout's Band, marched to the station, where the crowd by this time was so dense that it was only by organised effort that they were able to take up the strategic position allotted them…’

Strangely, similar “welcome home” recognition for Arthur Hughes was a long time coming. It wasn’t until 14 December 1918, when Arthur had been home the better part of two years, that he received a formal welcome.

‘…An enthusiastic welcome home was on Saturday evening accorded to ex-Lieutenant Arthur Hughes and Sergeant Arthur Merritt, two Broomfield men who served in the Great War. The function was held in the school room, which was crowded. The platform had been artistically decorated.

Mr Walter Hetherington, chairman of the Welcome Home Committee, opened the proceedings by asking those present to sing the National Anthem. Included in the company were the Federal member for Ballarat (Mr D. C. McGrath), Dr. T. A. Wilson (Creswick Borough), Captain Thos. Parkin (Creswick Shire Council), as well as other district representatives.
The chairman said he was pleased to see such a large gathering there to do honour to their two heroes. Both had been born and reared in the Broomfield Gully, and the folk were justly proud of them. Lieutenant Hughes had gained the Military Cross for distinguished service, and Sergeant Merritt had been away for four years and had achieved fame. He was one of the Anzacs who had gained a worldwide reputation. He was delighted to give them a cordial welcome, and at the same time had pleasure in introducing the Federal member, Mr D. C. McGrath.

Mr McGrath, who was received with cheers, said he had been travelling all day, and for three reasons. He wanted to be at Bloomfield first to welcome an Anzac; secondly, to be at Arthur Hughes' welcome there; and, thirdly, to speak to his many old acquaintances at Broomfield and join with them in doing honour to their lads. He could tell them the position a few months ago from a war outlook looked black indeed for the Allied cause, and although the thought of defeat never entered their heads, those who under stood the position could at any rate see the possibility of another couple of years' warfare. Thank God, the change had come, and that the Central Powers would never again take up arms against them.

The British people did not want war, and had done their level best to stop it. We should feel proud of the race from which we had sprung. The harder the shocks the more determined we were to see it through, and its successful accomplishment was in no small measure due to the soldiers of Australia. He had been with them, and knew their work. There was no soldier in the world like the Australian. They ought never to forget the mighty deeds of that "contemptible little army" of British Tommies who had stemmed the tide of German onslaught. They had made the early sacrifices of the war.

In the Amiens offensive, when three Australian divisions were sent for our boys had rolled back the German offensive and changed the outlook. From the day when Villers-Bretonneux was taken by them victory had been assured. We may talk for years about them, but the deep debt of gratitude we owe to them can never be paid. He would that some of the people who talked of no indemnities could see the places that had been blown to pieces by German shot and shell. He trusted that the enemy would not escape, and that they would be made to restore everything and repair the destruction they had committed.

Some people had criticised him for saying he had lost his old-time bitterness since he had been over there and had seen all classes helping. He felt he could not come back and be as bitter as of yore. It had changed his views largely. He wanted our boys who were returning to be cared for. It was a huge problem, and a war obligation that devolved upon everyone in the country. He did not want them to be State or Federal beneficiaries, but we must deal tenderly and generously with these men, and he would say, "God help any political party who fails to do their duty to the soldiers!" He did not want any flag but the Union Jack; it was good enough for him to live under. The British people were a colonising folk, and no people lived under better laws. He wanted to say this: None of the Pacific possessions should go back to the enemy. He wanted that menace removed.

He was pleased to be there to do honour to his old chum, Arthur Hughes; why he had never yet had a civic welcome in Ballarat, and he had been back 18 months, and had been decorated by the King. If the people knew, as he did, of what he had done to earn that distinction, they should feel ashamed of themselves, in Ballarat at any rate, for not having honoured him…

…Mr McGrath, in a neat speech, presented each of the two soldiers with a gold medal, suitably inscribed, on behalf of the Broomfield residents. Ex-Lieutenant Hughes, in responding, said it was hard to express his feelings. Whatever action he had taken, and what training he had received in his earlier years, were due largely to the people of Broomfield. He-felt proud to think that the people of the old gully had not forgotten him. He had never worn his decoration till that night. He would pin the medal they had given him alongside it. He hoped the people of Australia would realise what the lads had done. 'They faced hell for their sake, and they deserved the best they could give them for the sacrifices they so willingly and cheerfully bore.

Mr McGrath had been the soldiers' friend, not only of Ballarat and district but of all Australia. He thanked them for the very great honour…

Songs and recitations were contributed by Miss Hender, Misses M. McHenry, and Hurn and Robb McKay, and Mr R. Merritt, and a comic item by Mr J. McHutchison. The chairman moved a hearty vote of thanks to the speakers. Supper was served in a sumptuous manner, and the proceedings closed with the National Anthem and "God save our splendid men," and cheers for the soldiers. Mrs S. Ashton, with a strong committee, carried out the details…’

During the course of the evening, Captain Thomas Parkin announced that Arthur Hughes had been one of the successful applicants for a newly opened soldier settlement at Sutton Park, Newlyn. He had been allocated 80-acres (Block 7) on the outer north-east edge of the settlement. Such was Arthur’s position in the community as a teacher and sportsman, it was soon announced in the newspapers that, “MC Winner Turns Farmer.”

By February 1920, Arthur’s property, one of the largest potato plots in the settlement, looked set to produce a crop that promised to be ‘a singularly good one.’

Throughout this period, Arthur continued to live with his family in Ballarat. He didn’t bother to have his occupation of teacher changed on the electoral rolls.
Not content with the quiet life of a farmer, Arthur began to look further afield. In 1921 it became apparent that he was toying with the idea of career in politics. There was some talk that he would contest the seat of Allendale as a Labor candidate against sitting member and former Premier, Sir Alexander Peacock. This idea was quickly quashed by Arthur himself, who, on 5 August, indicated he had no intention of seeking election in Allendale.

Just ten days later, it was formally announced that Arthur had been selected by the Labor Party to contest the seat of Grenville. The aspiring politician only had a short time to win over the electorate. Nevertheless, just a month later, he was declared winner of the election by a small margin, and it was observed that ‘doubtless at the next election his majority will be substantial.’

‘…LIEUTENANT A. HUGHES, MC.
Mr Arthur Hughes, who has been, returned as Labor member for Grenville, was for nine years a school teacher in the Ballarat district. He enlisted as a private for active service in 1915, and obtained his commission early in 1916. He was in the "First Big Push" in France, and was twice wounded. He won the Military Cross at Pozieres, advancing with the late Major Nicholas and capturing a strong enemy post. Later, he was invested by King George at Buckingham Palace. He was invalided home shortly afterward. He was prominent in football in the Allandale and Ballarat districts, and was coach of the Pleasant street (Ballarat) State school footballers. He was born at Allandale on October 25, 1885, and is a brother of Mr David Hughes, who recovered the body of a girl from an abandoned shaft at Broomfield in December, 1916. Mr Hughes is one of a group of successful soldier-farmers on the Sutton Park settlement at Newlyn near Ballarat…’

During a sitting of the Victorian Parliament on 31 August 1922, Arthur made some damning allegations against Creswick Shire councillor and secretary of the local Repatriation Committee, Arthur Stewart.

‘…There is another matter I wish to refer to a case of profiteering on returned soldiers in my district.

During the war, and just after the war, 17 soldiers were settled on Sutton Park Estate, and a local repatriation committee was appointed. The secretary of that committee was a produce merchant in the district. He is also a justice of the peace, president of the Smeaton Agricultural Society, and of the Creswick Shire.

During the conscription campaign he was a great conscriptionist.

When soldiers settled on Sutton Park, he was a man who was going to assist the soldiers in every way. He did assist them for a while, but for his own benefit. He gave a number of them credit for sums amounting to perhaps £100, and the soldiers appreciated his consideration, but why did he do that?

Sometime later, when these soldiers had produce on their holdings, it was known there was likely to be a rise in prices. This great loyalist went to several of the soldiers and said, "I have lent you money, and you have so many tons of hay on your farm. You must sell me that hay because I want my money.” This man knew that prices were rising, and the diggers knew that also, so they did not want to sell. This man, however, told them that if they did not sell to him at once he would take proceedings for the recovery of the money they owed.

A returned soldier has told me that he applied through this produce merchant, who is secretary of the Repatriation Committee, for an order from the Closer Settlement Board to buy chaff. The order was received by this produce merchant, and the soldier asked that it be given to him. He told the merchant that he was going to buy his chaff elsewhere, as he could get it cheaper than this loyalist was prepared to sell it to him.

When this statement was made the produce merchant posted the order back to the Closer Settlement Board with the intimation that the soldier did not wish to buy the chaff after all. This is a matter that ought to be a subject for enquiry…’

Councillor Stewart was genuinely aggrieved that Arthur appeared to be ‘hiding behind parliamentary privilege,’ and suggested it was both an attack on him and the Creswick Shire Council.

An inquiry was initiated, but, despite the apparent grievances of the soldier settlers, by the 22 December 1922, it was found that the allegations had not been substantiated.

It seems that the situation may have prompted Arthur to vacate his property at Sutton Park. The block was taken over by another returned serviceman, Herbert Mitchell in early 1923.

In 1927, Arthur, after six successful years working for his constituents in Grenville, was forced by the Redistribution of Seats Bill to transfer to the Hampden Electorate. In preparing for the upcoming election, he made ‘friends fast and furious’ and there was ‘all the signs and portents are of a surprise in store for the anti-Labor forces.’ Future Prime Minister, James Scullin, in speaking at Camperdown in March 1927, stated that Arthur Hughes had been ‘one of the unfortunate members who had been thrown out on account of their constituencies having been "given the boot" by the infamous Redistribution of Seats Bill…’
In speaking about the loss of his seat due to the bill, Arthur described it as ‘undemocratic and unconstitutional, being a deliberate and dishonest attempt to defeat the Labor party.’

Arthur went on to secure a triumphant win in Hampden during the State election of 9 April 1927.
‘…In the course of the evening when the result of the election was beyond doubt, Mr Hughes visited Camperdown, and in the course of a brief speech in Manifold street, thanked all those who had contributed towards such a splendid victory for Labor. They had, he said, put up a record in Camperdown, which could not be beaten, and he was deeply grateful to them for their loyal support. He intended to act honorably by the constituency, and when he came before them again, he hoped they would return him by an even bigger majority.

He congratulated the supporters of Labor on what they had done at this election. The returns to hand were very favorable, and he trusted to find many of his old comrades back again in office…’

His time serving the people of Hampden was to be short-lived. In December 1929, Arthur lost his seat to another returned soldier, Thomas Chester Manifold. Given Manifold’s long and distinguished family connection to the district, this was hardly a fair battle, indeed news reports indicated that this was an ‘illustration of personality, more than politics.’ Manifold went on to enjoy a long and eminent career in politics and horseracing. He was later knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

The loss of Arthur’s political position was compounded by the death of his mother from heart failure on 14 January 1930, within weeks of the election.

Staunchly anti-communist, Arthur gradually became disillusioned with the attitude of the Labor Party. He believed the party was not decisive enough in their attitude to communism, nor supportive enough of returned servicemen. As a consequence, on 27 January 1932, it was announced that he had resigned from the Labor Party.

For a period of time, he worked at the Ballarat Freezing Works and became actively involved in the Australian Meat Industry Employees’ Union. In 1931 he led the labourers during a dispute when they forced the communist butchers to leave the works.
During the mid-1930’s it appears that Arthur continued to live in the family home in Ballarat, along with his older siblings, David and Mary, and the youngest of the Hughes family, Amelia Louisa. He also obliquely referred to himself as “farmer” when updating his occupation on the electoral roll, but there was no indication he ever returned to the land after leaving the block at Newlyn.

Such was Arthur’s celebrity, when he fell from his bicycle after striking an obstacle in the road on 27 December 1937, the accident and the consequent dislocated left shoulder and facial abrasions, were reported in the newspapers.

In the late 1930’s, Arthur took a position as a clerk with the newly formed Department of Air in the Federal Government. He took up residence at 114 Park Street, Moonee Ponds, and it was from there that he enlisted on 17 June 1940. By this time, Arthur was in his mid-50’s, his black hair was now grey, and he had never married. He was immediately passed fit for Class II duties with his former rank of lieutenant.
Throughout the next three and a half years, Arthur served at various training camps around Victoria – including the Racecourse Camp at Bendigo, the 4th and 15th Training Battalions at Darley, and 3rd Training Battalion at Watsonia. He also spent time with the 2/14th Battalion at Shepparton, the 2/21st Battalion as pioneers officer, and the 3rd Division at Seymour, where his duties involved discipline, rations and quarters.

Periodically, Arthur began to suffer problems with his lower back that required hospital treatment for lumbar fibrositis and sciatica in his left leg. Eventually, he was discharged from the Army on 5 October 1943 and retired from his appointment as allocations officer on secondment with the 9th Garrison Battalion a month later.

Although still enrolled to vote in Ballarat, Arthur continued to live in Melbourne following the end of the Second World War. In 1949, he was living in Lynedock Avenue, East St Kilda.

In his latter years, Arthur returned to Ballarat and the family home in Drummond Street, which he shared with Amelia. He worked as a greenskeeper, leaving the hustle and bustle of the army and politics far behind him.

On 1 February 1968, 82-year-old Arthur Hughes suffered a major stroke and died later the same day. He was buried with his brother, David, in the Ballarat New Cemetery.