Hugh Connell

Hugh John Connell DSO, MC & Bar (12 June 1884 – 31 January 1934) was an Australian politician and soldier. Born in Sydney and trained as a teacher, he served in the First Australian Imperial Force during World War I, reaching the rank of major. He was decorated for his service, receiving the Military Cross and a bar for actions at the Battle of Messines and during the German Spring Offensive, as well as a Distinguished Service Order and two mentions in dispatches.

After the war, Connell entered politics as a member of the Australian Labor Party, representing three successive seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly: Newcastle (1920–1927), Kahibah (1927–1930), and Hamilton (1930–1934), which he held until his death. He is commemorated by the Hugh Connell Memorial Shield, awarded to the winner of a statewide school soccer competition.

Early life Connell was born in the Sydney suburb of Woollahra, New South Wales and educated at Woollahra and Paddington public schools, Fort Street High School and at a teachers' training college. He taught at state schools in Sydney (1900–1905), Golgolgon, and Tarcoon (1905–1908), Broken Hill and nearby Alma (1908–1910). As a result of criticism of employers during the 1909 lockout, he was transferred to Goulburn. He then taught at Howell (near Guyra), the Newcastle suburb of Wickham and the Sydney suburb of Burwood (1910–1915) and finally at the Newcastle suburb of Carrington.

Military service Connell served from the outbreak of World War I in military training and in 1916 joined the First Australian Imperial Force as a lieutenant in the 35th Battalion and was promoted to captain in May 1916. He was awarded a Military Cross at the Battle of Messines in 1917. He received a bar to his Military Cross during the German Spring Offensive of 1918. He retired in 1919 as a major.