Paterson Hughes was born in Numeralla New South Wales on 19 September 1917, one of twelve children to Paterson Hughes and Caroline Vennell. 

After his early schooling at Cooma Public School, the family moved to Haberfield in 1929. Paterson would attend both Petersham Boys School and Fort Street High School. 

A junior stock clerk at Sanders Jewellers, he joined the RAAF as an air cadet on 15 January 1936, giving his address as 5 Gillies Avenue. Paterson served at Point Cook in Victoria during this time. 

Paterson enlisted with the RAAF on 20 January 1936. His enlistment terminated on 9 January 1937. Under existing arrangements at the time, he volunteered to transfer to the Royal Air Force and left for England in 1937. 

After serving in the No 2 Flying Training School and the No 64 Squadron, Paterson was promoted to Flying Officer in November 1938. A year later he would be promoted to Acting Flight Lieutenant and made flight commander in the 234th Fighter Squadron. 

Paterson often opposed regulations by flying with his Airedale Terrier, Butch. As the Battle of Britain began in July 1940, Paterson soon gained a reputation, and he is credited with shooting down seventeen enemy planes. 

He married Kathleen Brodrick in Cornwall England on 1 August 1940. 

Paterson died on 7 September 1940, although the circumstances are still somewhat of a mystery. 

One theory is that he was mistakenly shot down by a Spitfire during a dogfight with a German Dornier Do 17. Another theory states that due to his close -in flying tactics his plane was hit by wreckage from a German fighter. 

The plane crashed at Bessels Green Kent. Paterson bailed out too low and did not survive. 

The family, then living at 43 Kingston Street, was informed via telegram on 8 September. 

A funeral was held at St James Churchyard in Sutton-on-Hull on 13 September. 

On 30 October 1941, his sister Valerie received a letter regarding payment of a pension or gratuity for her mother. The letter states that as Paterson was a member of the Royal Air Force at the time of his death, no pension or gratuity would be paid by the Commonwealth Government. 

On 25 June 1942 Kathleen received Paterson’s Distinguished Flying Cross from King George VI. She later joined the Women’s Auxiliary Army Force in Britain. 

Paterson is recognised as Australia’s top flying ace during the Battle of Britain, and one of fourteen Australian fighter pilots killed during that time. 

He is remembered on the Battle of Britain Roll of Honour in Westminster Abbey, the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, the Cooma Flight Lieutenant Paterson Clarence Hughes Memorial and the Kiama Flight Lieutenant Paterson Clarence Hughes Memorial Plaque.