Arthur James's Story.
Arthur James Hughes, from Stoke, Coventry was born in 1919, the son of Reginald John and Elizabeth Mary Amelia Hughes. He studied at Crewe Secondary School from 1933 to 1936He joined the RAFVR in April 1939 as an Airman Under Training as a Pilot. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training at 10 FTS Tern Hill and arrived at 6 OTU Sutton Bridge as a Sergeant Pilot on 7th September 1940.
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After converting to Hurricanes he was posted to 245 Squadron at Aldergrove, Northern Ireland on the 28th September 1940. He moved to 249 Squadron at North Weald on 10th November and then to 17 Squadron at Martlesham Heath on the 18th.
He married Esther Dora Whitehead in January 1941 in Coventry.
On 18th March 1941 Hughes was patrolling with Sgt. LH Bartlett when both were shot down and wounded near Uckfield by Me109s of I/JG1. Hughes was admitted to Tunbridge Wells Hospital with an injured foot and burns to his face

17 Squadron Operation Report for 18 March 1941

ME109 of 1 JG/1

17 Squadron Hurricane
He was commissioned from Warrant Officer to Pilot Officer on 12th August 1942 and promoted to Flying Officer on 12th February 1943.
Hughes was killed on 30th May 1944 whilst flying in Spitfire IX MH455 of 66 Squadron. It crashed near Shoreham whilst he was attempting to bale out over England following radiator problems when returning from a mission against a radar site in France.

66 Squadron Operation Report covering Jim's loss.

Spitfire iX of 66 Squadron
He is buried at St.Michaels church yard, Stoke, Coventry.

Jim's Grave