People Quotes

Letter to Mary from David, September 1945 RAF.

“I am now wondering how long it will be before I get my civvy suit, I have figured it should be about in two to two and half years time. It is the only thing that interests me now, to get out of the RAF and begin my career as a singer. I have made up my mind to go to any length if need be to achieve this desire. I only hope I am good enough to do it, and am not distracted to having a good time until I have made the success I want. As you know I have already met many men who have and are helping me, and giving me plenty of confidence in my voice. Still we shall see I can only do two things either flop or do the opposite”.

Norman Lycett email 2003

“Shortly after my eighteen birthday, and after eight weeks basic training, I was posted to 5026 A. C. (Airfield Construction) Squadron, RAF Kai Tak, Hong Kong in 1946. The unit of 60 men (I was with) was accommodated in a tented camp on the perimeter of the airfield. Personnel of the unit supervised gangs of Japanese prisoners of war employed on the construction of the airfield.

I met Geoffrey a few days after my arrival. One evening in the cookhouse he heard me playing on the piano. He came over and we had a chat about our interests in music, especially opera. He mentioned that he did a bit of singing. I found him to be a very likeable fellow and I enjoyed his company.

One evening a few weeks after our meeting, I was travelling into Kowloon in the back of an RAF lorry when he told me he was on his way to the radio station ZBW Hong Kong, where he was broadcasting that evening. He mentioned that one of the songs he was going to sing was “Greensleeves”.

I returned to England in 1948 finally being demobilised in May of that year. It was not until 1955 that I saw a photograph of David Hughes and recognised that it was Geoffrey Paddison. After realising who David Hughes was I followed his career with interest and have one or two of his albums. I was greatly saddened in 1972 when I saw the news flash on the TV announcing his death. I thought of him in July of this year. I attended a performance of “Carmen” in the Arena in Verona.”

Letter to Mary from Norman, October 2003.

“It says something to the fact that he always sang the words so clearly and the melodies were always something one could listen to and enjoy. I especially like those he sang with Jo Stafford which were always favourites with my wife and me. I was pleased when he changed over to singing the classics. The first one I heard of these I heard on the radio; it was Handel’s “Silent Worship” on the record of 17th and 18th Century songs. I eventually bought the record and have enjoyed it ever since.

I have always been grateful for the friendship Geoff extended to me when I arrived in Hong Kong. I was 18 years of age, the youngest member of the squadron and he was nearer to my age group than the other members of the unit who, at the time, seemed old to me as most of them were aged 25 years and upwards. They were, though, a great bunch of lads who made life, such a long way from home, bearable, and we did have some good times together.”

 

Ann Pownall email January  2005:

“But the first time I heard him sing was when I was on holiday with a friend and her parents in North Wales - a pretty godforsaken place, apart from an amusement arcade that had a jukebox - it was before I left school so I must have been 14/15 at the time, and I spent nearly all my holiday money playing his record ‘Kiss of Fire’”.
Kent Blackmore email 2003.
Morag MacCormick's email 2004.

Email from Andrew Dobson December 2004:

“My wife and I only have one memory of David in opera, but one we have never forgotten.

Whilst in London we went to a performance of Carmen at the Coliseum in 1971 I think it would be. It was a last minute booking and we had no idea of the cast. We remember David in more popular music and had always wanted to see him in opera. That night we were treated to a wonderful performance and could not believe our luck that David was in the role of Don Jose, a role which he had truly made his own. That night he sang with such conviction that he held the whole theatre spellbound by his performance and the performance closed with standing ovations. During the intervals and after the performance we heard comments by many, highly praising his presentation.

We have seen many performances of Carmen since, by several of the world’s opera companies and Don Jose played by many of the world’s most acclaimed tenors, but for us, no one has ever measured up to David Hughes. It really was a tremendous night and one we often recall and will always remember.”

 

Email from Clive Banks:

“The reason I am writing is because David was friendly with my uncle. This goes back to at least their RAF days & when they formed a choir for the RAF. My uncle was a very talented musician & played a variety of instruments & this may have played a part in him getting into the choir.

 I have a photo of them all in a recording studio in Hong Kong. It's a bit faint but would you be interested? My uncle was Dick Banks (his real name was Horace, but he hated it). David is very clear in the picture, but my uncle, Dick Banks, is rather faint. He is the third from the left. I have no idea what they were recording or who to. I wonder what became of the other servicemen in the photo.

A bond must have been formed between the two men because I know that they exchanged Xmas cards.

My uncle would have been amused and delighted to have helped in providing an insight into the past and to contribute to the story of the career of his friend David.  My uncle lived to be 82 and he was a lovely man.”

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