Kim Hughes (British Army soldier) explained

Kim Hughes
Birth Date:12 September 1979
Allegiance:United Kingdom
Branch:British Army
Serviceyears:1997–2020
Rank:Warrant Officer Class 1
Unit:11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment RLC
Battles:War in Afghanistan
Iraq War

Warrant Officer Class 1 Kim Spencer Hughes, GC (born 12 September 1979) is a British Army bomb disposal expert (Ammunition Technician) who was awarded the George Cross as a staff sergeant for gallant acts carried out in the Afghanistan conflict. Hughes made safe 119 improvised explosive devices on his tour of Afghanistan.[1] The citation was presented to Hughes by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup on 18 March 2010 in a ceremony in the City of London. The posthumous award of the GC to Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid was announced at the same time. The awarded was gazetted on 19 March 2010.

His citation states that he carried out "the single most outstanding act of explosive ordnance disposal ever recorded in Afghanistan".

Early life

Hughes was born in Germany, where his father was serving in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and returned to England in 1985. He lived in Weston-super-Mare until 1988 when he moved to Telford.[2] There he was educated at Thomas Telford School.[3]

Later life

Hughes left the army in October 2020. He has since published an autobiographical account of his experiences in Afghanistan, Painting the Sand,[4] plus a thriller novel, Operation Certain Death.[5]

Since 2022, Hughes has been the Vice Chairman of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: George Cross for Army Afghanistan bomb heroes . BBC . 18 March 2010 . 18 March 2010.
  2. http://www.shropshirestar.com/2010/03/19/mothers-pride-in-pictures/3/ Shropshire Star, 19 March 2010
  3. Web site: Former school honours George Cross hero, WO Kim Hughes. BBC News. 12 June 2013. 18 September 2012.
  4. Book: Painting the Sand. 9781471156724. 17 May 2018. Hughes. Kim.
  5. Web site: Shropshire George Cross bomb disposal hero uses experiences to pen new novel . Andrews . Mark . 18 January 2021 . The Shropshire Star . 6 February 2022 .
  6. Web site: THE VICTORIA CROSS AND GEORGE CROSS ASSOCIATION TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022. www.register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. 18 February 2024. 30 August 2023.