Cecil Albert Francis Herbert ‘Frank’ HUGHES was born on 11th Nov 1861 in Wrexham, North Wales, and educated at Ruabon Grammar School, he was the eldest son of Thomas Edward HUGHES and Mary THOMAS. Frank showed early on that he was of a roving and adventurous disposition. To satisfy his strong desire to go to sea, his father apprenticed him to the Merchant Navy in Liverpool, England. After passing his exams and completing his apprenteship he went on several voyages before coming to Australia. During this time he endured two ship wrecks of which he was lucky to survive.
By 1886, aged 25yrs, he arrived alone in Australia. On 22nd October 1887, he married Martha COBBLE at the Manse, Methodist Church, Maryborough, Queensland. They had six children.
Austin Ernest HUGHES b 1888 QLD
Mary Mabel HUGHES b 1890 QLD
Ada Elizabeth-Bessie HUGHES b 1892 VIC
Ethel HUGHES b 1894 QLD
Francis Cameron HUGHES b 1896 QLD
Thomas Edward ‘Eddy’ HUGHES b 1898 QLD.
From the birth places of all his children it looks like his wife never joined him in Western Australia.
Diver Hughes being paraded around the streets of Coolgardie after the rescue of Varischetti.
Hughes the ‘Hero’
The Sunday Times (Perth, WA), published the following account from Hughes himself on Sunday March 24, 1907.
‘’Prior to going to work on the South Kalgurli Mine, where I am employed as a miner, I heard that a diver was required at the Westralia mine at Bonnievale, and with the desire of doing what I could to save a life I told the manager that I was prepared to offer my services. I went below at the South Kalgurli about 1.30 o’clock, but shortly afterwards was called and told that my offer had been accepted. I then left for Coolgardie by the half-past two train. On arrival I made a careful study of the plan of the Westralia mine submitted to me by Inspector Crabbe.
“As a result of my inspection, I felt certain that I could get down the pass from No 9 level and reach the man. A special train bringing two other divers and gear arrived from Perth at about 4am. I reached the mine at 6.30 and we went below at 8.30am and I made the first descent at 10.30 from the No.9 to the No.10 level. I cleaned out the chute and waited for the arrival of an assistant, but there was no appearance of him. I went up again”.
“I went down again shortly afterwards, but assistance did not come to light. Arrangements were then made for another diver (Hearne) to come down. Then somehow or other a misunderstanding took place while we were underwater. However, this being subsequently satisfactorily adjusted, I made my way along the drive to the rise at about 12 o’clock, leaving the other diver at the bottom of the rise so that he could attend to the lines.
“I followed the air pipe line through the level for a distance of about 250 feet, and on going up the rise found the airline and shook it four times. At the fourth shake I received an answering signal from Varischetti. Being thus assured that the man was alive and well, I made my way back to the No. 9 plat for a requisite spell. At about 4 o’clock I made another descent, taking a quantity of food in concentrated form and hermetically sealed, an accumulator, electric light, candles and matches.
“I may mention here that I heard the man sing out before he could possibly have seen me. I passed up the food and light, and in addition slate, which for protection had a wooden covering. Varischetti did not appear to understand the slate business at all, so I removed the covering and passed it to him again. When it came down I took it along to the plat but owing to the action of the water, the message he wrote was quite undecipherable. The slate bore the following message from the manager of the mine, Mr Rubischaum:- “Courage; rescue you in a few hours; food and light for you, keep above timber.”
While Varischetti was pale and weak from his ordeal, the crowds applauded all men involved in the tiresome rescue mission. Varischetti was lifted out of the cage by his hero, Hughes.
Frank Hughes was awarded the Albert Medal for lifesaving.
Kalgoorlie Miner – 3 June 1919, page 3
Murchison Times and Day Dawn Gazette WA – 30 November 1909, page 4
DIVER HUGHES – THE AFTERMATH OF HEROISM.
It is pitifully pathetic to learn, on the word of a responsible W.A. mining man just returned from Queensland, that Diver Frank Hughes, the hero of Bonnievale, is a financial and physical cripple. Shortly after the Bonnievale episode, which sent his name ringing throughout the civilised world, Hughes went to Queensland, and was received and banqueted at the capital of the Eastern States.
Champagne flowed in his honor,
the roofs of the various town halls being shaken by the terrific enthusiasm evoked by the mention of his great deed. Medals and testimonials were presented, but through it all Hughes maintained the same modest demeanor that characterised him in W. A. After seeing a few friends in Queensland he returned to W.A., but disgusted by the petty snarls of a jealous clique on the Golden Mile, he again returned to Queensland. Bad luck and ill-health claimed him, and a few months ago he was working on the Atherton-Herberton railway. Hughes was getting 9 shillings a day and was firing powder holes. Hughes went back to inspect a misfire two minutes ahead of legal time which exploded. He sustained a broken arm, a permanent limp, and a damaged eye, his mate was killed.
When the W.A. man met Hughes, he was, as aforesaid, in a bad way physically and financially, but was making for Cairns in the hope of getting an easier job than belting stone under a tropical sun. A pathetic sequel to one of the bravest deeds that ever made men’s hearts beat faster, their voices lift in cheers, and their souls be proud of the work of a good man.—
Sunday Times: In 1916 the Sunday Times in Perth told that ‘Diver Hughes’ was in severe financial distress. £23 was accepted in donations and sent to him in QLD.
South Brisbane Cemetery, Queensland.
Diver Hughes died 1 Jun 1919 of the Spanish Flu at the Diamantina Hospital, Brisbane Queensland. He is buried in the South Brisbane Cemetery with his wife Martha.
Moya Sharp
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