Geoffrey Forrest Hughes | |
|---|---|
 Geoffrey Hughes (right) speaking with Prince Albert during the latter's tour of Australia in 1927. | |
| Born | 12 July 1895 Darling Point, New South Wales |
| Died | 13 September 1951 (aged 56) Lewisham, New South Wales |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | Australia United Kingdom |
| Service | Australian Army Royal Flying Corps Royal Australian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1919 1940–1943 |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Battles / wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Military Cross Air Force Cross Mentioned in Despatches (2) |
| Relations | Thomas Hughes (father) Tom Hughes (son) Robert Hughes (son) Lucy Turnbull (granddaughter) |
Geoffrey Forrest Hughes, MC, AFC (12 July 1895 – 13 September 1951) was an Australian aviator and flying ace of the First World War. He was credited with 11 aerial victories, and won a Military Cross for his valour. After a postwar award of the Air Force Cross, he returned to Australia and completed university. He became a businessman and a solicitor in the family law firm while retaining his interests in aviation. From 1925 through 1934, he was president of the Royal Aero Club of New South Wales, and largely responsible for government support of the club. Despite his business concerns, he returned to military duty during the Second World War. He commanded an aviation training school and rose to the rank of group captain before surrendering his commission in April 1943. After the war ended, he moved into public life and the political realm.