Paterson Clarence Hughes Memorial Tablet

Monument

Flight Lieutenant

P.C. Hughes. D.F.C.

Pilot

Royal Air Force

7th September 1940. Age 23.

And in loving memory

of his wife Kathleen

who died 

28th June 1983. Age 66.

Panel

This memorial was erected in memory of

39461 Flight Lieut. Paterson Clarence Hughes

D.F.C.

Killed in action 7th September, 1940

He was born on 19th September 1917 and attended Cooma Primary

School to the age of 12 years - thence Fort Street High School

joining the RAAF in 1936 at the age of 19 years and sailing to

England in 1937 on a short term RAF commission.

After serving in 64 Fighter Squadron he was promoted to Acting

Flight Lieutenant and posted to 234 Squadron as a Flight

Commander where he demonstrated his extreme virtuosity as a

leader and a pilot, being credited with 14 downed enemy

aircraft plus other shared and unconfirmed planes making him the highest

scoring Non-British Fighter Pilot in the Battle of Britain.

His victims are said to include the flamboyant German Ace Oblt.

Franz Von Wirra who safely landed his damaged aircraft in England.

Paterson Hughes' close-in and aggressive tactics led to his demise

on 7th September, 1940 with his aircraft being struck by debris from

an exploding bomber which he was attacking.

He was the driving force in the achievements of 234 Squadron RAF

and he lies at rest in St. James Church Yard, Sutton in Holderness,

Hull, England.