King Edward’s School and the Great War

Memorial Roll of Honour 1914 - 1918

Back

Hughes, William Barton

Lieutenant ▪ Royal Air Force

William Barton Hughes, born in Manchester on 21st September 1899, was admitted to King Edward’s School in September 1912, and won a Foundation Scholarship in 1913. He had previously attended West House Preparatory School and then Bedales School in Hampshire as a boarder. William’s father, Alfred, was a university professor, and the family lived at 29, George Road, Edgbaston.

At School, William was a competent linguist, but only managed an unranked finish in the Gymnastics Competition of 1914.

After School, William was employed in agricultural work before joining the Royal Naval Air Service on 1st September 1917, obtaining his wings in March 1918. He was then gazetted to the RAF as a Lieutenant in April 1918, but was accidentally killed while flying at Dover on 17th May 1918. He is buried in St James’ Cemetery, Dover, and is commemorated on the West House School Memorial. He left his estate of £141 to his father.