Born in Droitwich, he was the son of William Hughes of Woolwich Arsenal. In 1860 he was admitted as solicitor and in 1874 began his life-long association with the Conservative Party as a political agent. He was an officer in the Volunteer Force, becoming commanding officer of the 3rd Kent Artillery Volunteers (Royal Arsenal) and retiring from the force with the honorary rank of colonel in 1887. He was member of parliament for Woolwich from 1885-1902. He was the first Mayor of Woolwich on the creation of the borough in 1900. Buried in Plumstead Cemetery. Mentioned here [1] and Wikipedia page [2]..