Victor Patrick MacHugh

Victor Patrick MacHugh was born on Richmond Street, Longford 5 July 1872; he was the son of Bryan MacHugh, a successful businessman and his wife Mary, who carried on the businesses after Bryan died in 1885. They had a number of children, of which Victor was the eldest. The MacHughs were a staunchly Fenian family: Bryan was the Fenian head centre for the county. Victor's brother, Alfred James, who was a noted cartoonist, served in the Easter 1916 Rising, where he was injured.

Victor originally enlisted in the Army in 1896, where he declared his age to be 20. He went on to serve in the 2nd Boer War, taking part in a number of engagements, including the Transvaal and the Relief of Ladysmith, and remained in the Army to 1908, by which time he attained the rank of Saddler Sergeant. After his first service with the Forces, Victor worked as a saddler in London, although there appears to have been some service with the Royal Navy, as it is mentioned on his 1911 Census, and his name is included in Royal Naval listings for the Great War.

Sadd. Sgt MacHugh re-enlisted on the 7 September 1914, and served in the Battle of Mons, for which he was awarded the 1914 (Mons) Star. In February 1917, he was demoted to Saddler Corporal, and remains at this rank until he retired from the Army. MacHugh continued serving in the Army until May 1922, requesting an extension to his service in 1920.

Victor was married to Mary Callaghan, from Cork, to whom he got married in Woolwich in 1899. He lived the remainder of his life in Kensington, and passed away in September 1957.

Link to Civil Record of birth;