Hugh’s service records survived the Blitz and make fascinating reading. He joined the Royal Engineers from his home in Ballymacarrett, Belfast. He was employed as a shoeing smith at the depot in Newark until his transfer to France in February 1916 where he served as a sapper. His military record was not without blemish, including two punishments for appearing on parade in a verminous condition, and one for failing to return a hired bicycle. In France, he contracted pneumonia, eventually coming to Maghull Military Hospital, where, despite a brandy and milk diet on his doctor’s orders, he died at 6.50pm on 5th June 1916. A telegram was sent to his next of kin, his brother William in Belfast, but it was returned to sender as William was also serving abroad. William was killed in the Battle of the Somme a month later before news of Hugh’s fate reached him.