MAJ GEN Frederic G Hughes
Melbourne Rowing Club (VIC)
Frederic Godfrey Hughes (1856-1940) was a noted rower, soldier, land valuer, company director and St Kilda City Councillor and Mayor. He served in the Victorian militia and his biography in the Australian Dictionary of Biography notes his military services as follows:
He was best known as a citizen soldier, joining the field artillery in 1875 as a gunner. In 1889 he went to the Victorian Horse Artillery in the rank of captain, commanding the Rupertswood Battery until 1897, and was promoted major in 1891 and lieutenant-colonel in 1900. In 1903 he became commander of the 11th Australian Light Horse Regiment (Victorian Mounted Rifles) and in 1909 aide-de-camp to the governor-general.
On the outbreak of World War I Hughes commanded the 3rd Light Horse Brigade, Australian Imperial Force, and as temporary brigadier general served on Gallipoli. His men took part in the disastrous storming of the Turkish trenches at The Nek on 7 August 1915. Hughes was evacuated to Australia in March 1916 suffering from pneumonia and typhoid fever, and his A.I.F. appointment was terminated; he had been far too old for active service. He was reappointed in July 1918 as brigadier general, retiring as major general in March 1920.
Whilst educated at Melbourne Grammar school, no record of him rowing in their senior crew can be found.
Some rowing highlights
1881 - Intercolonial Championships, Men's Eight, bow seat - First
1882 - Richmond and South Yarra Regatta, senior four, two seat - First
1882 - Geelong & Barwon Regatta, senior eight, there seat - First
1882 - Intercolonial Championships, Men's Eight, two seat - Second
1882 & 1983 - Melbourne Regatta, Non manual labourers senior eight - First
1883 - Richmond and South Yarra Regatta, senior four, two seat - First
1883 - Melbourne Regatta, Senior Eight, five seat - First
1883 - Melbourne Regatta, Senior Four, three seat - First
1884 - Intercolonial Championships, Men's Eight, six seat - First
1904 & 05 - Executive Committee member of Australian Henley Regatta
Andrew Guerin
January 2025
Sources:
- Judith Smart, 'Hughes, Frederic Godfrey (1858–1944)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hughes-frederic-godfrey-7077/text11675, published first in hardcopy 1983, accessed online 24 January 2025.
- The Victorian Oarsman by John Lang published by Massina & Co 1919
- Annual reports of the Melbourne Amateur Regatta Association