4 April 2009(2009-04-04) (aged 108) Clayton-le-Moors, Lancashire, England
Allegiance
United Kingdom
Service/branch
British Army
Years of service
June–November 1918
Unit
51st Manchester Regiment
Battles/wars
First World War
Other work
Mechanic
Netherwood "Ned" Hughes (12 June 1900 – 4 April 2009) was one of the last two Tommies who served the United Kingdom during the First World War, along with Harry Patch, although Patch was the only one to have seen action. Hughes was also one of three British veterans still living in the country, with Patch and Henry Allingham being the other two. The Ministry of Defence has not confirmed his war service, but many First World War service records were destroyed in the Blitz during the Second World War.
However, the World War I Veterans Association invited him to the Cenotaph for the 90th Anniversary of the Armistice in November 2008. He did not attend as his family felt that the journey would be too much for him.[1]
He was born in Great Harwood, the fourth of seven children born to optician John Hughes and his wife Robina. He had three brothers: Charlie, Henry, and Sidney, who served in the Royal Navy on HMS Albion. Hughes spent most of his working life as a mechanic and driver and, in June 1918, he was called up, like every other driver in Great Britain, to perform that role in the British Army.[2] While he was still in training the war ended, and he returned home to drive in a mill.[1] He later became a bus driver. Hughes married twice, but never had any children, although in his final years he was frequently visited by his nephews and nieces and their families at his care home, Woodlands Home for the Elderly in Clayton-le-Moors, where he spent most of his time in the grounds, smoking his pipe.[2]
When receiving a birthday card from the Queen each year since his 100th birthday, he commented: "She has the same frock on".[2]
In his final few weeks, Ned's health deteriorated and he had difficulty speaking for a week before his death, according to his niece, Ann Hutton. He died of natural causes on 4 April 2009, aged 108, at Woodlands. Speaking to the Accrington Observer, Mrs Hutton said, "It’s not the family’s wishes for a military funeral. We don’t want bugles and whistles, we just want a simple family affair. He couldn’t stand any fuss on his birthdays."[3]
^ abBingham, John (20 November 2008). "'New' First World War veteran comes to light through internet". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 3 June 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2009.
^ abcKenyon, Lisa (20 June 2008). "Old Ned's still in top gear for his 108th milestone". Accrington Observer. Archived from the original on 27 May 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2009.
^Kenyon, Lisa (9 April 2009). "WW1 veteran dies aged 108". Accrington Observer. Archived from the original on 15 April 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2009.
Netherwood "Ned" Hughes (12 June 1900 – 4 April 2009) was one of the last two Tommies who served the United Kingdom during the First World War, along...
also the last surviving Tommy, since the death on 4 April 2009 of NetherwoodHughes, who was still in training when the war ended. The last-but-one fighting...
Meg, astrologer, was born in the town as Margaret Anne Lake in 1942 NetherwoodHughes, World War I veteran, died in 2009, aged 108 Nicholas Freeston (1907-1978)...
Norfolk. Not recognized as a veteran until 2008. United Kingdom NetherwoodHughes 12 June 1900 4 April 2009 (108) Called up to the 51st Manchester Regiment...
1915, and some of her poems and novels were written in the town. NetherwoodHughes (1900–2009), World War I veteran, was born in Lord Street. Mick Jackson...
the last surviving First World War veterans, NetherwoodHughes, served in the 51st Battalion. Ned Hughes died 4 April 2009 aged 108. In 1919, during the...
remaining British Tommies of World War I (along with Harry Patch and NetherwoodHughes), although the war ended before he was sent to fight. He was born...
Maxine Cooper, 84, American actress (Kiss Me Deadly), natural causes NetherwoodHughes, 108, British fourth-to-last veteran of World War I. Jody McCrea,...
Jessica Paré, Earl Pastko July 1, 2011 Canada Canadian mountie western Netherwood Cristobal Araus Lobo Owen Black, Will Hall New Zealand The Price Zeke...
2006 Perfect Creature Prof. Liepsky 2010 After the Waterfall George 2011 Netherwood Duncan 2012 Existence Robert 2016 The Couple Husband Short 2016 The Light...
when officials for the Pennsylvania Railroad and then-governor Richard J. Hughes broke ground on a new station and freight depot along the line by the Tri-State...
Year Gold Silver Bronze 1980 Edith Simon Dawn Netherwood Christine Penick Catherine Pierre 1982 Brigitte Deydier Karin Krüger Heidi Anderson Anita Staps...
the Two Cities Begin Running at Midnight. EXERCISES OVER THE RIVER Govs. Hughes and Fort Make Congratulatory Addresses -- Dinner at Sherry's in the Evening"...
Newark Penn Station Union Roselle Park Cranford Garwood Westfield Fanwood Netherwood Plainfield Grant Avenue Dunellen Bound Brook Bridgewater Finderne Somerville...
July 17, 1975. p. 1. Retrieved September 28, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. Hughes, John P. (January 26, 1978). "Railroad Station Destruction Marks End of...
Newark Penn Station Union Roselle Park Cranford Garwood Westfield Fanwood Netherwood Plainfield Grant Avenue Dunellen Bound Brook Bridgewater Finderne Somerville...
politician, member of the New Jersey General Assembly (1980–1996). Joan Clark Netherwood, 88–89, American photographer. Yurnalis Ngayoh, 78, Indonesian civil servant...
Maureen Bennett 1981 Lisa Jones 1982 Dawn Netherwood 1983 Dawn Netherwood 1984 Margaret Jones 1985 Dawn Netherwood 1986 Eileen Boyle 1987 Eileen Boyle 1988...
September 2, 1875. p. 3. Retrieved February 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. Hughes, John P. (January 26, 1978). "Railroad Station Destruction Marks End of...
Royal Berkshire Regiment and Royal Flying Corps 2nd Lt. Henry Stoney Netherwood, West Riding Regiment Lt. (temp. Capt) Alfred Geoffrey Neville, Royal...
Flight Lieutenant Horace Gerald Munday (187734). Flight Lieutenant Jack Netherwood, DFC (182538). Flight Lieutenant Arthur James Robert Robson, DFC (173300)...
National Labour Organisation. For political and public services. Francis Netherwood Dixon, CB. Secretary, Exchequer and Audit Department. Walter Newman Flower...
JP, Honorary Secretary, Reading and District Refugee Society. Arthur Netherwood, Chief Officer, Croydon Fire Brigade. Alexander Hodge Nisbet, GM, MBE...
Christian Dawkins MBE Clerk Assistant of the House of Commons Francis Netherwood Dixon, Secretary, Exchequer and Audit Department Edward Vandermere Fleming...
Global Information
United Kingdom