Joe Hughes

Who was Joe Hughes?

Driver Joseph Hughes GC of the Royal Army Service Corps was awarded the George Cross for the gallantry he displayed on the 21st of March, 1946 in Lyemun Barracks in Hong Kong. Notice of his award appeared in the London Gazette of the 26th of June, 1947.

The 19 year old was driving a 3 ton truck full of cleared ammunition and explosives into the magazine area when it caught fire. Knowing it could explode at any moment, he tried to remove the burning camouflage netting and, when that failed, tackled the developing blaze with fire extinguishers. Despite his efforts the lorry exploded and Hughes died two days later of his wounds.

A plaque containing a replica of his medal and summary of his action hangs in the St. Francis Centre in the Gorbals in Glasgow, where Hughes was born.