• Edward Hughes moved from Shropshire to Stoke-on-Trent, according to the 1861 to 1881 census he was a charter master (contracting coal miners). 

• In 1889 (perhaps as early as 1886) he set up business with his son-in-law Enoch Massey (who married his daughter Sarah Ann) as E. Hughes & Co at the Opal China Works, Fenton.

• Edward Hughes was joined in the business by his son Frederick Stuart Hughes. 

• At some period (certainly in 1912) A. G. Harley Jones was a partner along with F. S. Hughes (as the senior partner).  

• The business was incorporated in December 1939 to name was changed to Hughes (Fenton) Ltd.

• Frederick Stuart Hughes died aged 72 on 14th July 1941.

• In 1941 the works was closed for the duration of the Second World War under the Wartime Concentration Scheme. After the war it was re-licensed in 1946 and was managed by another Edward.

• In 1948 the business was acquired by Lawleys Limited and continued to produce tableware as part of the Lawley group of companies until about 1953.

Champions of Liberty

The flags are those of the Russian Empire, France and the United Kingdom (the Triple Entente) together with that of Belgium which was invaded by Germany in August 1914

E Hughes & Co
China
Staffordshire
England 

Most of E. Hughes crested ware used the "Fenton China" mark.

A few pieces used this E Hughes & Co China mark, including patriotic ware for the Great War - this example "Champions of Liberty" and a design with six flags of the Allies and the inscription "In Freedoms Cause" 

Poppina is the pattern name 

the coin for size comparison is a UK pound 

Norman W Franks of Chepstow Place, Bayswater, London was a retailer of china, glass and general merchandise 

E. Hughes & Co
Fenton
Staffordshire
England

c.1914-41

Paladin China
E. Hughes & Co
Fenton
Staffordshire
England

"PALADIN CHINA" is a trade name
c.1914-41

"Eusancos" China
E. Hughes & Co
Fenton
Staffordshire
England

"EUSANCOS CHINA" is a trade name
c.1930-41