Geoffrey Forrest Hughes

Geoffrey Forrest Hughes, (12 July 1895 – 13 September 1951) was an Australian aviator and flying ace of the First World War. He was credited with 11 aerial victories, and won a Military Cross for his valour. After a postwar award of the Air Force Cross, he returned to Australia and completed university. He became a businessman and a solicitor in the family law firm while retaining his interests in aviation. From 1925 through 1934, he was president of the Royal Aero Club of New South Wales, and largely responsible for government support of the club. Despite his business concerns, he returned to military duty during the Second World War. He commanded an aviation training school and rose to the rank of group captain before surrendering his commission in April 1943. After the war ended, he moved into public life and the political realm.

Early life Geoffrey Forrest Hughes was born in the Sydney suburb of Darling Point on 12 July 1895. He was the second son of Thomas Hughes, a solicitor and future Lord Mayor of Sydney, and Louisa (née Gilhooley); he was of Irish descent on both sides, with roots in County Roscommon. Hughes received his secondary education at Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview, before undertaking a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Sydney from 1914. In June that year, he was commissioned as an officer in the 26th Infantry Regiment, Citizens Military Force. In his youth, Hughes had acquired a keen interest in aviation, which led him to apply for the Australian Flying Corps; his application was unsuccessful. Around the same time Hughes had enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps, his elder brother, Roger Forrest Hughes, was granted a commission in the Australian Army Medical Corps of the Australian Imperial Force. Posted for service on the Western Front, he was mortally wounded by an artillery shell in the morning of 11 December 1916; Geoffrey was with Roger when the latter died of his wounds later that day.

On completing his tour with No. 10 Squadron, Hughes returned to the United Kingdom in February 1917. For the following ten months, he was posted for duties at flight training installations and units in England. He was promoted to temporary captain on 29 July. During this time, his letters home to his parents were critical of anti-conscription efforts by Australian Roman Catholics, led by Archbishop Mannix. Hughes was promoted to captain on 1 April 1918. He was mentioned in despatches twice, and awarded the Military Cross,

Hughes was again withdrawn to training duties in England.

Between the World Wars Hughes remained in England for some time following war's end, training recruits.

After discharge from military duty, Hughes completed his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney, graduating in 1920. Hughes went on to receive a Bachelor of Laws degree with Second Class honours on 17 May 1923. He became a solicitor and joined the family legal firm.

Geoffrey Hughes maintained his interest in aviation, becoming president of the Royal Aero Club of New South Wales from 1925 through to 1934. He was instrumental in gaining government support for the club, on grounds that it would supply pilots for the military as well as civil use. On 5 September 1936, it was reported by The Sydney Morning Herald that Hughes became a director of the United Insurance Co Limited.

Second World War and beyond In July 1940, Hughes returned to military service, being appointed as a flying officer in the Royal Australian Air Force. Ranked as a temporary wing commander in 1941, he commanded the flying school at Narrandera. By the time he gave up his commission in April 1943 to end his military career, he had risen to act group captain. His business interests led him into political life as an opponent of the bank nationalisation policies of postwar Prime Minister Ben Chifley. Hughes refused to serve on the board of Qantas Empire Airways Ltd. Elsewhere in the sphere of public life, he became a council member of Sancta Sophia College. He became a member of the socially prominent Australian Club, as well as the Royal Sydney Golf Club.

Death Geoffrey Forrest Hughes died of lung cancer and pneumonia in Lewisham Hospital on 13 September 1951, at age 56. His wife, daughter, and three sons survived him. He was buried in the Catholic section of Waverley Cemetery.

Archival and Online Collections Geoffrey Forrest Hughes diary, 1919, available online at the State Library of New South Wales, MLMSS 1222/Box 6/Item 6 Geoffrey Forrest Hughes diary, 1918, available online at the State Library of New South Wales, MLMSS 1222/Box 6/Item 5 Geoffrey Forrest Hughes diary, 1917, available online at the State Library of New South Wales, Item 04: Geoffrey Forrest Hughes diary, 1917 Geoffrey Forrest Hughes diary, 1913, available online MLMSS 1222/Box 6/Item 3 Personal papers of Geoffrey Hughes, 1901–1944, State Library of New South Wales, MLMSS 1222/vol. 4/pp. 31-132