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Pat Bugden was born on 17 March 1897 in New South Wales. As a boy he spent 12 months doing various military training activities under the compulsory military training system that was introduced in Australia in 1911. He enlisted in the AIF on 25 May 1916, and began his training at Enogerra in Queensland.
He embarked for the Western Front with reinforcements for the 31st Battalion in September of that year. He joined the Battalion in March 1917 and he was continually in action until the end of May. His division, the 5th Division, was rested until September when it went into the line again to relieve the 1st Division after its successful battles at Menin Road in Belgium.
The 4th and 5th Divisions began their attacks on the German lines near Polygon Wood in Late September 1917. The 8th Brigade, of which the 31st Battalion was a part, was to be in reserve. On the day before the attack was to begin, the Germans launched a heavy attack on the British 33rd Division, which was immediately to the south of the 5th Division.
The British withdrew, exposing the flank of the Australian formation. The decision was taken to continue with the planned attack the next day, but the 31st Battalion was brought up to take the 15th Brigade's first objective while they secured their flank.
On two occasions during the attack, when machinegun fire from enemy pillboxes held up the advance, Bugden led small parties of men to attack these strong points which he silenced by throwing grenades and capturing the defenders at bayonet point. Over the next two days he performed several additional acts of gallantry.
His most audacious act was a single-handed rescue of corporal who was being escorted into the German lines by three enemy soldiers after being captured. On at least five other occasions he dashed out into artillery bombardments and machinegun fire to bring in the wounded.
He was killed on 28 September and was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his bravery during these three days. He was buried nearby in Belgium. His medals are on display in the Queensland Museum.
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