L/ Sjt Charles Richard Hughes, No3 Cdo - KIA on The Vaagso Raid

Hi Mark

Yes you are right there is a stamp from No.3 Commando on his pay book and a signature of a Captain or possibly on behalf of a Captain. I can't quite make it out but something like Wood..

Pete

Hi Mark,

It looks like:

Leave with free warrant 904902 1/12/40

Three Leaves and Two FWs issued between 1/11/40 and 28/8/41

Free Warrant issued ?/1/41

As Pete says, signed : W Woodam ?

Stamped: OC " " Troop 3 Commando

The warrants were travel warrant - usually train warrants.
"Free" would indicate either as part of his annual entitlement (taken with leave or 48 hr passes etc) or on a duty journey.

CWGC contact:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Mrs J Williams
Enquiries Section
2 Marlow Road
Maidenhead
Berks
SL6 7DX

Or alternatively you can send scanned documents to [email protected]

other contact info:
http://www.cwgc.org/content.asp?menuid=30&submenuid=38&id=38&menuname=Contact%20Us&menu=sub

Good luck, lets us know if you need help and keep us informed ofany developements,

Nick

Hi
Nick and Pete
Just a quick update i have had a reply from the cwgc and they have now updated there records it now has sgt hughes as a commando, i am still waiting for his army records but will let you know if i find anything else out

regards
mark

hi Mark,

mark ruddock wrote: i have had a reply from the cwgc and they have now updated there records it now has sgt hughes as a commando...

That's brilliant news - well done.
I hope you got as much of a buzz as I do when I manage to get the CWGC to amend their records to acknowledge that a fallen hero was a commando.

We Will Remember Them.

Nick

here it is:

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2146655

Nick

Hi Nick & pete

just to let you know i have recieved L/Sgt hughes army records and it looks like to me that he might have been on previous raids,
I will email pete with his records

regards mark

Mark,
That's great, if you need any help to decipher the acronyms, abreviations or army jargon just let me know.
Nick

Not including his pre war military service the following comes from his Service Record courtesy of Mark Ruddock:

27/1/40 Posted as a Lance Corporal to 309 ITC (Infantry Training Centre) at Blandford Camp, Dorset
24/2/40 whilst at 309 ITC appointed Acting Corporal (unpaid).
24/2/40 whilst at 309 ITC now appointed paid Acting Corporal
24/5/40 whilst at 309 ITC granted War Substantive rank of Corporal
7/7/40 Posted No.3 Commando at Plymouth attached from 309 ITC
10/11/40 Absorbed into 4 Special Service Battalion
5/3/41 Posted No.3 Commando
31/5/41 Posted to Special Training Centre (STC) Lochailort.
12/6/41 Appointed paid Lance Sergeant No.3 Commando.
15/6/41 Ceases to be Attached (CTBA) to STC Lochailort rejoining No.3 Cdo.

Then of course comes the report that he has been killed in action

In Memory of Lance Sergeant 6010576 CHARLES RICHARD HUGHES
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment and No.3 Commando
who died age 26 on 27 December 1941
Remembered with honour BROOKWOOD MEMORIAL