Colonel Jimmy Hughes - Telegraph The son of a carpenter, James Hughes was born at Campbeltown, Argyllshire, on January 25 1917. Three years later, he moved with his family to Co Down. He gained scholarships to Regent House Grammar School, Newtownards, and Stranmillis University College, Belfast, and at both institutions he played for the 1st XV. In September they moved to France, and subsequently took part in the liberation of Brussels, the defence of bridges over the Meuse during the Battle of the Bulge and operations in Holland. Hughes was one of the first British soldiers to get inside the Belsen concentration camp and, in an interview with Ulster Television in 2004, he described his shocked disbelief at the horror of the place. Having been promoted to major, he became a battery commander and served in that capacity in Holland and Germany. On being demobilised in 1946 he was appointed MBE. On returning to Northern Ireland he was recommissioned into the new Territorial Army and appointed second-in-command of 247 Light Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Regiment. He subsequently served in the TA for 18 years, including periods as commanding officer of 245 (Ulster) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA (TA) and as colonel on the General Staff. In 1961 he was advanced to OBE (Military). In 1948 Hughes was appointed senior lecturer at Stranmillis, and in 1970 became its deputy principal. From 1948 to 1969 he was also a part-time broadcaster for BBC Northern Ireland radio and television. Although he principally covered sport, he will perhaps be best remembered for his authoritative commentaries on the annual Twelfth of July Orange parades. Hughes's acute intellect, leadership skills, drive and enthusiasm were constantly in demand, and he served on 40 committees, including the Northern Ireland Youth Employment Service Board and the Northern Ireland Youth and Community Leadership Board. He was also closely associated with the work of the Boys" Brigade. He was a stalwart supporter of the Royal British Legion and the Poppy Appeal, serving as national chairman from 1972 to 1975, and was subsequently appointed CBE. At various times he was chairman of the Northern Ireland War Pensions" Committee; of the Northern Ireland Committee of the Army Benevolent Fund; and of the Irish Ex-Service Trust. He was the first Briton to be appointed president of the European Region of the World Veterans" Federation, for which he was appointed to the Légion d'honneur. Jimmy Hughes married, in 1939, Aimee Walker. She predeceased him, and he is survived by their four daughters. Col Jimmy Hughes, born January 25 1917, died August 26 2012