Griffith Hughes was born in Llanberis, in modern day Gwynedd, in 1893. Sadly, there is little information about his early life, and records mention his mother – Margaret – but no father. The 1901 census records Griffith as living with his grandmother, Ann Hughes.

Ten year later, the two are living in a two-up, two-down cottage – 19 Snowdon Street, Llanberis – with Griffith’s aunt, Ann’s daughter Jane, and her husband, Thomas. Griffith is earning money by now, working as a slate dresser at one of the local quarries.

War was coming to Europe by this point, and Griffith was called upon to play his part. He initially enlisted in the Welch Regiment as a Private, although he seems to have transferred across to the South Wales Borderers during his service.

Private Hughes’ time in the army was spent on home soil, although he earned the Victory and British Medals for his service. He remained in the army through to the end of the war and beyond until, on 15th August 1919, he was medically discharged. He had developed tachycardia, and this was having an impact on his life.

When Griffith left the army, he was based in Lancashire, and was living in the village of Bryn, to the south of Wigan. He remained in the area for the next year, his health sadly deteriorating. Admitted to the cottage hospital in nearby Pemberton, he passed away from his heart condition on 18th September 1920. He was just 27 years old.

Griffith Hughes was brought back to Wales for burial. He was laid to rest in the quiet graveyard of St Peris Church, in his home village of Llanberis.

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