#OnThisDay 1916 At Guillemont, Private Thomas Hughes from Castleblayney, Monagahn was awarded the Victoria Cross.
‘Private Hughes was wounded in an attack but returned at once to the firing line after having his wounds dressed. Later, seeing a hostile machine-gun, he dashed out in front of his company, shot the gunner and, single-handed, captured the gun. Though again wounded, he brought back three or four prisoners.’
Hughes was later promoted to Corporal. He survived the war.
The Irish at War 