He is constantly among the men in the trenches, and never thinks of his comfort or safety'[1](Later, in 1951, he also became an honorary chaplain to the Lancashire Fusiliers.)
Also in 1919, he succeeded his father as Vicar of St Michael's on Wyre, a living he held until 1930.
He later became the living's joint-patron with his younger brother Edward Windham Hornby (succeeding their uncle) in 1944.
Their eldest son (born during Hugh's time as Vicar of St Michael's on Wyre) was Richard Hornby, later a Conservative politician.
After his time at St Michael's on Wyre, Hugh became Rector and later also Rural Dean of Bury (1930–1953 and 1934-45 respectively) and later Suffragan Bishop of Hulme (1945–1953).