Farewell to RSL stalwart

CASEY Council has expressed condolences to the family of former Berwick RSL president John Hughes, who died on 1 November and was laid to rest at Springvale on 6 November.
Edrington Ward councillor Brian Hetherton said Mr Hughes came to Australia to visit his daughter and liked the place so much that he went home, packed his bags, and returned.
“He was a fine president of the Berwick RSL and was instrumental in and active in production of the book Berwick Avenues of Honour,” Cr Hetherton said.
Four Oaks Ward councillor Rob Wilson said he had known Mr Hughes from the days of the former City of Berwick.
“He was a great man in the community,” he said.
Berwick RSL in its November newsletter said Mr Hughes served with the Royal Air Force from 1943 to 1946 in Bomber Command.
“On his last bombing mission over Germany, his aircraft was severely damaged, but managed to limp back to England, crash land in the wash on the east coast. Some of the crew, including the pilot, were killed.
“John was a popular member of the Langmore Day Club since it was formed 10 years ago. Our deepest sympathy is extended to Olive and their family.”
His grandson Alex Maslen said time he had with his grandfather was too short.
“My Grandpa was a unique blend of deep thought, incredible memory, generosity and storytelling.
“There weren’t many things I could say to grandpa that wouldn’t spark a story about his days in the RAF or as a politician in Cambridge.
“There weren’t many ideas put to him that he wouldn’t hark back to his time as a boy or an adult.
“I greatly valued his wealth of experience and always looked forward to bouncing ideas off him, knowing he was likely to have either bombed it, read about it, written about it, or lobbied for it.
“He was also a great source of things to think about, staying abreast of topical matter and always ready with a pertinent opinion.
“He was the sort of person who lent something to any train of thought as a critical mind and his middleleftofcentre criticism or support will be missed.
“Even in his final years, I thought of him as something of a perpetual student, with a desire for knowledge and ongoing interest in its application.
“Only a bare few months ago I put together a new computer for him because his old one couldn’t keep up with his crafty projects.
“I never really expressed to Grandpa just how much I loved and respected him, and how he has stood as one of my main influences. He will remain in the back of my mind as a silent onlooker, reminding me to ignore popular media for insight in favour of careful research to find some truth myself.
“Grandpa always knew who had the right of things, and I can only hope to play percentages without his advice.
“A man such as Grandpa needs no viewing to fix himself in our memories, his character powerful enough to linger on unaided. I will remember him always for our great conversations and his interesting thoughts on why his old computer had newly failed, for his advice and support and love of education.
“Wherever he is now, whatever ultimate meaning he has discovered, I’m sure he’s found he was right all along.”