Updated
Monday, 25th January 2021, 3:24 pm
Thomas Hughes, who lived in Haywards Heath and was part of the Muster Green Remembrance Service every year, died on November 8, and a funeral was held for him on November 26.
His daughter, Jane Hughes, said he was a member of the local British Legion and a guard of honour was held for him at the Church of the Presentation.
Tom saw action with the 9th Parachute Battalion in the Battle of the Bulge and the forced crossing of the Rhine.
Haywards Heath war veteran Tom Hughes has died aged 96. Picture contributed
He was born at Ebbw Vale, South Wales, on May 24, 1924.
Tom Hughes, paratrooper who served at the Battle of the Bulge – obituary
He helped Belgian villagers to recover the bodies of young men shot in reprisal by the SS and later worked for The Daily Telegraph
Tom Hughes
Tom Hughes, who has died aged 96, saw action with the 9th Parachute Battalion (9 Para) in the Battle of the Bulge and the forced crossing of the Rhine.
On Christmas Eve 1944 Hughes and his comrades in 9 Para were looking forward to their Christmas dinner the following day. Instead, he found himself sleeping on the deck of an old Isle of Man ferry bound for Calais and then travelling by lorry to Belgium.