Career
Hughes was commissioned into the Royal Flying Corps as a temporary second lieutenant (on probation) on the General List on 12 August 1917, and was confirmed in his rank on 30 October. After completing his pilot"s training, Hughes became an instructor for a while. He was then assigned to Number.
3 Squadron to fly a Sopwith Camel.
He ran up a total of two enemy aircraft destroyed, two driven down out of control, and one captured, between 8 August and 23 October 1918. Lieutenant David James Hughes.
"A gallant and skilful officer On 4th September his patrol was attacked by eight Fokker biplanes.
Proceeding to the assistance of one of our machines that was in difficulties, Lieutenant
Hughes was himself attacked by two enemy aeroplanes and driven down, to 4,000 feet, his petrol and oil tanks being shot through. By skilful manoeuvring he regained our lines, pursued by one of the enemy, which, at 2,000 feet, he engaged, bringing it down in our lines."
Hughes left the Royal Air Force, being transferred to the unemployed list, on 28 January 1919.
