Walter Evan Hughes was a cabinet maker who played soccer for Western Suburbs in the Toowoomba league before enlisting in September 1916.
He was assigned to the 15th Battalion and reached the Western Front in May. In the subsequent 12 months Hughes suffered minor wounds and illnesses, including tonsillitis, and, in April 1918, what the records called hysteria. This last diagnosis came soon after the 15th Battalion came under heavy bombardment in Hebuterne, France.
Hughes survived the war and returned to Australia in 1919. His name appeared with that of his brother and Western Suburb teammate Fred on the Toowoomba British Football Association honour board in 1918.