The Quinns of Athenry

When we were kids my mother told us about a relation of her mothers more than likely one of the Hughes from Annaghdown, Co Galway who was killed in World War 1. Based on that info my brother Donal arranged for a British War Records researcher to try and track down any Hughes from Galway who fought in World War 1. The search turned up a man from Tuam but the details of the man did not really fit. There the investigation rested until we found out that my Aunt Lena had a photo of the man.

I scanned the image and sent it to Donal, in an amazing piece of internet detective work, within 15 minutes he mailed me back with this clear image of the cap badge

and Collar badge.

Now we had enough info to find out who the picture was of. We engaged the British War Records researcher once more and within a few weeks we had our mans war records. Needless to say they raise as many questions as they answer.

Full Name: Private Martin James Hughes

War: World War I, 1914-1918

Serial No.: 40216

Date of Birth: 7/11/1891

Place of Birth: Gardenham, Drumgriffin, Co. Galway, Ireland

Height: 5’6”

Weight: 127 lb

Chest-measurement: Min 31” Max 34”

Vaccination marks: Right Arm

Complexion: Fair

Colour of eyes: Grey

Religion: RC

Arrived in New Zealand: 1911

First Known Rank: Private

Place of Enlistment: Appelby, Nelson

Date of Enlistment: 10/11/1916

Occupation before Enlistment: Carpenter

Nationality: New Zealand

Body on Embarkation: New Zealand Expeditionary Force

Embarkation Unit: 23rd Reinforcements Canterbury Infantry Regiment, C Company

Embarkation Date: 2 April 1917

Place of Embarkation: Wellington, New Zealand

Transport: HMNZT 80

Vessel: Corinthic (Ships master was Captain F. Hart)

Destination: Plymouth, England

Date of Disembarkation: 10th June and marched into Camp Sling on the 11^th

Left for France: 6/7/1917

Regiment/Service: Canterbury Infantry Regiment, N.Z.E.F.

Unit Text: 2nd Bn. 2nd company

Age: 25

Wounded in Action: 18/8/1917

Place of injury: Loudon/Loudou???

Date of Death: 20/08/1917

Place of Death: No.26 General Hospital Etaples

Cause of Death: Died of wounds received in action (Right Hip, Gas Gangrene)

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Additional information: Son of Mr. Patrick and Mary Hughes, of Gardenham, Drumgriffin P.O., Co. Galway, Ireland.

Brother of Patrick Hughes, P.O. Waimate , South Canterbury

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: XXII. Q. 20A.

Cemetery: ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY

Commonwealth War Graves details: http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=498099

When I was growing up Kitty Lardner lived at the top of Old Church St. Her father Larry Lardner was a leading figure in the Athenry Irish Volunteers and the Irish Republican Brotherhood. Lately I got a chance to view some of Larrys letters and photos from 1914 to 1920.

Letter from Michael Collins on the subject of conscription

Fictional (?) Christmas Day Menu, Lincoln Prison 1918. By all accounts Larry was involved Devs escape.

Receipt from Sean McDiarmada for monies paid

Irish Volunteers Athlone 1915, Terence McSwiney, Lord Mayor of Cork is pictured standing beside Larry. McSwiney died in prison after 74 days on hunger strike.

On hunger strike in Wormscrubs Prision May 1920 (Larry is last on the right on the second row from the front). The prisoners motto is Release or Death.