George Hughes, who represented Queensland in all interstate matches against New South Wales in 1921, and who only had one goal scored against him in the interstate games while on tour in that year, passed away on Tuesday at Rosemount Military Hospital, following a brief illness. He saw several years of service with the 11th battery Australian Field Artillery in the Great War. His loss will be mourned by all followers of the Soccer circle, who have felt the excitement of the many thrilling saves while guarding the sticks for the Queen’s Park, Thistle, Bush Rats, and Queensland teams.
George Hughes’s obituary appeared in the Sports Referee on 4 October 1924. It erred slightly regarding Hughes’ Queensland career, as he only played six of the seven interstate games in 1921. Hughes kept in both tests against New South Wales when Queensland headed south, conceding only once as the visitors won the series 1-0. He also played the three other games on the tour against regional sides. But back in Queensland, Hughes only played the first two games of the return series, as the touring New South Wales regained bragging rights with a win and two draws.
Born in Melbourne, Hughes was by 1915 a 22-year-old clerk who played soccer for Brisbane side Queen’s Park. He enlisted in August and was allocated to the 5th Australian Field Artillery as a Gunner. He arrived in Egypt in November 1915, and like many soldiers his records are empty through the period when the AIF evacuated from Gallipoli. Instead, Hughes was redirected to Marseilles in March 1916. His records are again empty until he was gassed in April 1917 and evacuated to England.
His time in England was dominated by a lengthy period absent without leave from 2 January 1918 until he was apprehended at Westbury on 13 May. The records do not give any information as to why he was missing. Hughes pleaded guilty and forfeited 137 days of pay. He was sent back to France in October and remained in France until April 1919 when he was marched back out to England.
Hughes did not arrive back in Australia until early 1920. Hughes joined Thistle FC, and by 1921 was selected for the Queensland team. In 1922 he joined Dinmore Bush Rats where he played for two seasons. In 1924, Hughes moved to Brisbane City in 1924 as manager.
He died in September 1924, but there is no indication that his illness related to the war.