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Note: CHARLES JAMES HUGHES, notes by R.B.Howroyd 1/96. Charles was born in the regimental hospital near Dublin in 1852, the second child of Sergeant Major Robert Hughes of the famous 63rd Regiment. Charles, his mother, his elder brother, & a younger sister went with their father & his regiment in Ireland, Canada, & England & later Charles was tell tales of those days. While in Canada Charles' two younger brothers & sister were born. Charles became a cabinet maker & in 1872 he married Rachel Elizabeth Bobey in Manchester Cathedral. He apparently worked in Manchester & London then with their children Maude & Herbert the family migrated to Western Australia. They arrived in Fremantle from London 4/10/1883 on the Helena Mena as independent passengers. On 27/6/1884 they left for the 'eastern colonies' on the Bonnington. THey left again 11/6/1888 on the South Australian. In the Bicentennial Dictionary of Western Australians Charles is listed as the proprietor of the Enerald Isle Hotel (1888 almanac). The family said Fremantle was "too hot." In Scottsdale his undertaking business advertised itself as 'established 1884.' Suggesting it was purchased from another?. The family were therefore early settlers in the North East & bought property in Scottsdale. They had a general store which was Rachel's domesne. Charles was a cabinet maker & as often happened that business became that of funeral undertaker. Apart from his civic responsibilities Charles was in demand for his organisational skills when he was construction supervisor for the new C of E church in 1892, & for the NESM Hospital in 1921. He became a J.P. in 1909. In the North Eastern Advertiser Tuesday 16th July 1929 appeared the following. "Another of the old pioneers in the person of Mr.C.J.Hughes passed away on Friday after a short illnes at the age of 77 years. Deceased was born in Wales [sic] & as the son of a Sergt Major in the British Army visited many parts of the world in which his father was stationed including Canada & America. During some fighting in Quebec the late Mr Hughes received a wound behind the ear which effected his hearing ever since. He came to Australia about 50 years ago first settling in West Australia & later coming to Tasmania settling in Scottsdale, where some 45 years ago he opened a business as a general storekeeper. The late Mr.Hughes was a member of the Road Trust, for some time the chairman & in 1908 was appointed a Justice of the Peace. Mr & Mrs Hughes were married in England some 57 years ago. There were two children - a son who died some 26 years ago within a few months of his marriage & a daughter Mrs. H.A.Sutherland who resides in Scottsdale. The funeral took place on Sunday & included in the large attendance were many members of the Masonic Lodge with which deceased was connected for many years. The service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev.Walter Walters & was followed by a Masonic service also conducted by Wor Bro Walters the chaplain of the Lodge." There are some errors in the newspaper report but the picture remains of an adventurous spirit & a man of some initiative. My memories of him are very dim, but I can still see his black top hat hanging in his office, & the ear trumpet he sometimes needed. I well remember the great silver & black hearse that slumbered in the stables. An opportunity for delicious horror adventures for my brothers & me. Much later pieces of the hearse were used to build the Thorpe house near Waterhouse where one very long window lay over a couch in the living room. That couch was my somewhat uneasy bed when as a 10 year old I visited with my grandparents. Like my grandmother Maude, Maggie Thorpe came from Lancashire & they were great friends. Years later I heard stories that much to the disgust of the family, grandfather Charles James Hughes fancied himself, late in life, as quite a ladies' man round the town. And that in his later years he enjoyed the nickname 'Matey". Down from him I have a 'campaign chest' which in all probability saw service in the Crimea with Colour Sergeant Robert Hughes.
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