HUGHES, Donald James, FAI. ARWA.*

Born on 31st. May, 1881. Educated at Clifton Hill House, he was destined to become one of the greatest of the Savages. Of very handsome appearance, clean shaven, and with a crop of grey to white hair, he was of the most kindly disposition and was loved and respected by the whole Tribe. With a fund of knowledge, a love of art, coupled with a knowledge of the English language, he was made to measure for a place in the Wigwam. A great poet, both in the serious as well as the whimsical vein. In February1914 he was elected as a Literary Member and it was only later that he became an Artist. At that time he was an Auctioneer and Estate Agent with an Office at 1, Unity St., but he retired early and decided to devote himself to art, and in 1924 he exhibited a one-man show at the Clifton Arts Club. He was a non-smoker and a teetotaller, but this did not affect his attendance at the Wigwam. He had played hockey and cricket as a young man and was a regular supporter of Gloucestershire Cricket Club, which was the subject of one or two of his poems. `Grouse` was a natural outlet for his skills and he became editor in 1930. His sketches, poems and rhymes are to be found there in abundance. In 1937 he wrote a small book of poems for private circulation giving it the whimsical title Birdsworth. In the Wigwam he would entertain the audience with a poem or two, with hands clasped before him and a serious look on his face, he would recite one of his whimsical poems which would send everyone laughing, that is, except himself. He maintained the Savage tradition of interrupting the Minutes with a witty pun or humorous remark. An admirer of the Royal Family, it was fitting that the Prince of Wales should visit the Wigwam during his Presidency. As an artist he worked principally in water colour and crayon and we have over 40 of his evening sketches. When he so wished he could work at great speed and during a three week holiday in Europe painted 60 pictures. He bought the beautiful Blaise Hamlet and donated it to the National Trust. He installed a plaque in his house in Berkeley Square commemorating John Loudon MacAdam, the pioneer of road making. He was our President in 1934,1944, 1954, and 1963. A portrait of him hangs in the Wigwam as well as a Charlie Thomas caricature. When his will was read there was a clause bequeathing the sum if £1 to the Imperial Tobacco Company which he felt he owed them as a non-smoker all his life. (Cecil Broome)