Patrick Bugden

Patrick Joseph Bugden VC (17 March 1897, Tatham, New South Wales – 28 September 1917, Ypres, Belgium) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was approximately 20 years old and a private in the 31st Battalion, Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when he displayed the bravery for which he was posthumously awarded the VC.

Biography
Bugden enlisted in the A.I.F. at Brisbane on 25 May 1916, listing his civilian occupation as a hotel keeper and putting his age at 21. After completing a period of basic training, he embarked for England in September 1916 and arrived in Plymouth in December. Shortly afterwards he was admitted to hospital sick, before being sent to France in January 1917 and being taken on strength by the 31st Battalion in March. In May 1917 he was again admitted to hospital with influenza, before being released and returning to his unit.

During the period 26 September to 28 September 1917 at Polygon Wood, Zonnebeke, Belgium, an advance was held up by strongly defended pillboxes. Private Bugden, despite devastating machine-gun fire, twice led small parties against these strong points and, successfully silencing the guns, captured the enemy at the point of the bayonet. On another occasion, he rescued a corporal from capture when, single-handed, he rushed up, shot one of the enemy, and bayoneted the other two. On five occasions he rescued wounded men under intense shell and machine-gun fire, showing an utter contempt and disregard for danger. He was killed during one of these missions.

He was reburied after the war at Hooge Crater Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery.

A memorial to his service stands at Alstonville, NSW, about 30 km from Tatham. The local ANZAC Day march starts there. Bugden Avenue in the Canberra suburb of Gowrie is named for him.

Medals
His VC is on display in the Queensland Museum, South Bank

Medals: Victoria Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal