Post federation, Hughes had risen to command several light horse brigades before volunteering for service with the Australian Imperial Force in October 1914.

He continued to suffer ill health, but returned to active service mid-1918, undertaking a staff role until 1920 when he retired as a major general.

[1] As a youth, Hughes was a talented player of Australian rules football; he was also an accomplished athlete and rower, according to biographer Judy Smart.

The Footballer magazine described him as "a most useful man, plays very hard and with remarkable judgment, follows splendidly, a fine kick, and unerring mark".

[2] After leaving school, Hughes undertook clerical work, and was employed by a land valuer until he started his own business in this field in 1884.

[1][3] In 1875, Hughes joined the part-time military forces – the Militia – being assigned as a gunner to the St Kilda Artillery Battery.

[3] Following the outbreak of the First World War, Hughes volunteered for overseas service and was appointed Australian Imperial Force (AIF) as a colonel on 17 October 1914.

[3] Initially, Hughes held the rank of full colonel, but in July was promoted to brigadier general as all Australian brigade commanders were regraded to achieve parity with the British Army.

In the desperate battle that followed, four waves of light horsemen charged the Turkish trenches, only to be cut down by unsuppressed fire from at least 30 machine guns.

[9][10] According to military historian Ross Mallett, "Hughes mismanaged the battle" and while the wider issues that led to its failure were not of his making, his decisions ultimately exacerbated the heavy casualties his brigade suffered.

[3] Antill subsequently refused a request from the commander of the 10th Light Horse Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Noel Brazier, to cancel the third wave, which was also slaughtered.