Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday March 9th, 1917

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Private R. Hughes, of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, previously reported missing, is now reported killed. He was in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 17/11/2017
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Transcript of comemmorative postcard, submitted by M. Hull, 2018:
Swepston and Snareston
Our sixth loss.
Private Richard Hughes.
6th Warwickshire Regiment, Killed in action in France.
August 17th 1916. Age 28.
A living sacrifice....acceptable unto God. - Rom. 12, I.

He died that we might live-
Hail- and Farewell:
-All honour give
To him who, nobly striving, nobly fell,
That we might live!

His career: Second son of Mr and Mrs A. Hughes, Newton Burgoland. Born at Wasperton, Warwickshire, March 18th, 1888.
Educated at the Church of England School, Wasperton. For over five years after leaving school he worked for J. Gold, Esq., Anstey near Coventry. Then after some years in farm service he accepted a responsible post under the Coventry Corporation.
Private Hughes enlisted while in the employ of J. Grant Esq., Foleshill, which post he had secured through his connection with the Coventry Corporation.
Enlisted at Nuneaton, February 29th 1916. Received his training at Clevedon, Somerset and on Salisbury Plain. Landed in France, July 5th, 1916. Fought in several engagements during a month of great military activity.
Killed in action in France, August 17th 1916, and buried by a party of the 25th Division in the vicinity of Thiepval, France.
Private Hughes well fitted as he was in both ability and training yet refused promotion feeling that he could serve his country best as a private.
It has been said of Private Hughes that he was killed as a soldier should be, in action, charging the German lines. That he was just the right sort for a soldier; full of grit and no grumbler. He cheerfully endured the numerous hardships of war and trench life.
We can feel sure he and others who have fallen as martyrs in the defence of all that is right and just against German barbarism will reap their reward in another land.
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Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the second son of Mr and Mars A. Hughes. Richard began his working life in farming, later taking up employment with Coventry Corporation.