28 February, 1956 - 12 May, 1981

 The second volunteer to die on hunger strike in 1981, Francis was a brave and loyal soldier to the end. Raised in Tamlachtduff, he lived across the sroad from his cousin Tom McElwee, who would go on hunger strike a few months after Francis. He went to school in Bellaghy and later Clady. He left school at 16 to be an apprentice decorator and painter. Later, when he was on the run, he would often decorate for the people who put him up.

Though born into a very Republican family. He would become much more involved at the age of seventeen when he and a friend were accosted by the british police on returning from a dance. They were pulled over, forced out of the car, and then beaten and kicked to such a degree that they were bedridden for days. He joined the 'Officials' but was soon disillusioned with them as they gave up many of their Reoublican principles by 1972. He started his own Independant squad and they continued to fight the british until the end of 1973 when they were recruited by the Provisional's. They joined up and wreaked havoc on the british and RUC in South Derry. Francis went on the run for good in 1975, and by 1977, was being referred to as the "Most Wanted Man" in the occupied counties.

 He was captured on 17 March, 1978 after a shootout with two SAS the night before. He and another volunteer were walking across a field of a farm that was being staked out by the british army. Upon being challenged by the officers', Francis and his comrade opened fire. They fatally wounded one but the other was able to call base despite being shot in the stomach. Francis himself was shot in the leg and the other volunteer was also wounded. The area was almost immediately swarming with british army hunting for them both. They split up and while the other volunteer got away, Francis dragged himself almost three hundred yards and buried himself in a deep gorse bush. He was hopeful that he would be able to sit them out, but was captured fifteen hours later. When they found him he gave a false name as he knew that british officers had orders to shoot him on sight. The truth came out while he was in the hospital. The doctors were forced to remove a part of his thigh, which reduced him to having to depend on a crutch.

While being held in Castlereagh in 1979 his interrogators labelled him "totally uncooperative" as he had been fierce in avoiding giving any information. He did not eat or drink for four days at one point because he believed the food may have been drugged. While in prison he joined the other Republican prisoners in the fight for political status. He volunteered for the first hunger strike in 1980, but was not chosen. Upon the start of the second one he again volunteered and began his hunger strike 14 days after Bobby Sands. Francis Hughes was on hunger strike for 59 days in 1981 and died on 12 May.

He was a brave and fearless man who was strict with his soldiers but also had a sense of humor.  One of the most important things that he demanded of his men, however, was that they be as selfless in the Cause as he was. He proved his selflessness right to the end.