SA Pays Tribute to WWII Hero Angas Gus Hughes
Synopsis
Angas “Gus” Hughes, who survived being shot down and a brutal POW march, has been remembered at a state funeral as a symbol of courage and mateship.
Angas Hughes, Australia’s final known surviving World War II Bomber Command veteran, was laid to rest at a state funeral on Friday, August 14, in Adelaide.
The service was held at Drill Hall, Torrens Parade Ground, with approximately 150 mourners, including family members, Defence and State dignitaries. In a mark of respect, the Australian flags in South Australia were flown at half-mast in recognition of his passing.
Military honours, the Ode of Remembrance, and Last Post were fired, and the Royal Australian Air Force personnel served as pallbearers at the Angas Hughes state funeral, where Premier Peter Malinauskas and Group Captain Greg Weller spoke.
Malinauskas and Group Captain Greg Weller paid tribute to him and recalled his final years in Parliament. Hughes passed away on July 24, just three weeks short of his 103rd birthday on October 24. He is survived by his South Australian Bomber Command veteran contemporaries Raymond “Ray” Merrill, who passed away this year.
He was one of the many brave Australians who gave their lives so that others might live.
From RAAF Service to German Captivity
After completing his training in England, Raymond “Ray” Merrill was posted as a navigator with No. 467 Squadron, seeing active service in Europe and North Africa. In addition, he flew several combat missions over France and Belgium as a member of the squadron’s bombing crew.
During his service, he survived being wounded in action and being taken prisoner after his plane was shot down. After being on the run for three days, he was finally taken into German captivity.
He spent the next seven months in a prison camp, and during the winter of 1945, he hiked 209 kilometres over 21 days with the retreating Germans before being set free by the Soviets in May 1945.
He was discharged from the RAAF in December 1945 as a flying officer. After his release, Hughes worked as a registered tax agent and licensed auditor and was involved in various veterans’ welfare groups for many years.
The Australian Bomber Command Record
Angas Hughes was among the roughly 10,000 Australians who served with Bomber Command during World War II. During the conflict, No. 467 Squadron suffered a devastating loss of 118 aircraft and 760 aircrew, including 284 Australians.
In addition to the 3,833 sorties, it completed, the squadron played a major role in the battle. Hughes served as a navigator and bomb aimer with the unit. His Lancaster aircraft was shot down over Germany during his 32nd mission in September 1944, and he spent the next three days evading capture before being taken prisoner.
Hughes spent seven months in German captivity before being released in May 1945. During the winter of 1945, he marched 209 kilometres over 21 days as the Germans retreated before being set free by the Soviets.
He was demobilised from the RAAF in December 1945 as a flying officer. Subsequently, he pursued a career as a registered tax agent and licensed auditor while also serving as a welfare officer for several veterans’ organisations.
Stories of his exploits and travels were recounted by him as he marked his centenary year. He addressed a select gathering of government and defence officials, as well as defence executives and industry partners, during the FDI Defence 2026 National Defence Forum’s centenary breakfast on May 5, 2026.
Military honours were the final tribute to Angas Hughes at his state funeral on Friday, which Premier Peter Malinauskas declared a day of mourning. Family members were requested to donate to Legacy rather than present floral tributes.
Source: The Australian
Pooja Malik is a business journalist with over six years of experience covering startups, entrepreneurship, and emerging trends. She has previously worked with leading media platforms such as YourStory Media and BW BusinessWorld, where she reported on business, policy, and market developments. Currently, she serves as Editor at The Inspirepreneur Magazine, where she writes and edits stories across business, lifestyle, and travel, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and reader relevance.
