Series 01 Part 02: Hughes family correspondence, 3 April 1917-22 September 1918 - Page 96
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[Page 96]
3.
He was wounded early in the morning whilst dressing a wounded man with Pte Parsons one of our bearers, who was wounded by the same shell. Pte Parsons died from his wounds early last March.
The late Capt although badly wounded insisted on the bearer being attended to first. On the journey down to the next Aid Post he seemed quite bright and followed the shelling of a Taube with keen interest. At the Aid Post he kept enquiring after the wounded bearer who was following on a stretcher. Shortly after leaving the Aid Post Fritz commenced shelling quite close to our route and the Capt was quite cool and spoke some words of encouragement to us bearers. Just before reaching the dressing station he complained of feeling cold so we rubbed his hands arms and put extra blankets over him. When we reached the dressing station he spoke quite cheerfully to the Medical Officer whom he knew quite well.
Whilst being treated at the dressing station a cable from Mrs Hughes was read to him and he seemed very pleased. Some letters also accompanied the cable, but he remarked he would read them when in a comfortable bed. On leaving the Dressing Station he said good bye and thanked us. From this stage I really do not know what happened after.
On behalf of our bearers I take this opportunity of extending to all the relatives our deepest sympathy. We feel we have lost a most capable officer, who was a man in every respect; you have lost a good son and brother and all our sympathies