John Hughes 1857-1935

The 1850’s followed the period of the Great Famine in Ireland when approximately one million people died and a million more emigrated from the shores of Ireland. It was following this that my Great Grandfather John Hughes was born. According to his military records John was born on the 25 Feb 1857 in the parish of St Mary's, Clonmel, Co,Tipperary Ireland. We have been unable to accurately trace his birth record as prior to 1864 records of births/baptisms were recorded in the local parish churches, most of these documents being very difficult to read and of poor image quality. Our earliest record then is of John joining the South Tipperary Militia at the age of 13 in1871. These documents are currently held at The National Archives in Kew London. The document Enrolment Account of the Tipperary Artillery Militia, has the account of John listed: Regimental No 4305 Christian and Surname Hughes John Date of enrolment 14 June 1871 Place of Enrolment Clonmel Age 13 Height 4’ 8” Occupation None Fee for attending One Shilling Bringing Money Five Shillings Bounty           Ten Shillings Later, on the 4th August 1873 he joined the 108th Regiment of foot (Madras Infantry) at Dublin. The 108th later became the 2nd Batt Royal Inniskillings Fusiliers He was discharged on the 16 July 1895 from 5th Batt Royal Inniskillings Fusiliers having served a total of 19 years 293 days. He is also recorded as having enlisted at the outbreak of the First World War John married Bella Lee on the 10 august 1883 at Enniskillen Parish Church. John resident at the Main Army Barracks in the town and Bella a servant in the Castle

Isabella Lee 1864-1937

Little is known of Bella Lee and her immediate family apart from information gleaned from her marriage certificate and Census returns. Bella married John on the 10 August 1883 in the Church of Ireland Parish in Enniskillen town the preceding Chaplin being David O’Leary. Bella was resident at Castle Barracks Enniskillen as a servant her father William Lee also listed as being a servant. William Lee and a Jane Whittsitt were witness’s to their wedding. Isabella died on the 13 January 1937 aged 73  living then at 22 Ardglen Park North Belfast with Isabella Hughes her daughter who was present at death.