WW1 Letters home Pte Paddy Bugden and Family pt 1

These are some of the News stories of the descendants from my ancestors John and Margaret Bugden.

John Bugden B 1789, Arrived Gilford 1823, Convict, Died in Casino 1876.
married

(1)Margaret Roach, born 1837 Black Creek Maitland, 

She was the daughter of :-

Patrick Roach Arrived “Elizer, (2)” 1829 Convict, Death 1892 Deep Creek casino NSW.

Who Married:-

(1) Co Clair Ireland, Bridget Carrigan)

(2) Co Clair Ireland, Margaret Bridget Callahan/ Walsh, who died,

1861 Brookfield Nr Dungeon NSW. Arrived Soverein 1829 Convict.)

Who had lots of children as stated on Margate’s death cert 4 males 3 females 1, deceased.

One being mine Helen or Ellen Bugden Born 1841 Maitland died 1916 Lismore,  who married Francis Schneider 1859 who come fashionably early from Fraunstein nr Weisbaden Nassue Germany (whatever that all means) and died 1907 Lismore, (before all the proverbial started).

They too had lots of children as did her brothers and sisters. Their daughter Mary Ann Schneider born 1877 Gundarimba, Married Jeramiah John O’Leary born 1867 Berry, son of Cornelius and Helen O’Leary – Leary, and their daughter Hanna Vera O’Leary who married James Donnelly born in Coraki, who was the son of John James Donnelly and Emily Maude Victoria Lancaster, who is from Joseph Lancaster who married Mary Ann Eaton Aiken Pateman, who is the daughter of Samuel Pateman who is the son of Samuel Pateman Convict’ and Charlotte Barns or Bates Convict’ who married Maria Aiken who is the daughter of John Aiken and Frances Randall who is the daughter of John Randall Convict 1788.

Did you get that? I am sure I missed some any way…

I am sure there are many who descend from this lot and don’t know much, so this is a good way of letting my Blood links know, and they may like to add these story’s to their family history.

A rather proud history for the Bugden’s, I have a host of Bugden Obituary’s for you to come, I will do my Bugden Blogs in Parts, this is part One, Part Two on the way more about Pte J Bugden VC.

The Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser NSW

2 Feb, 1917

Letter from Pte. J. Bugden.

Private Jim Bugden, writing to his mother, Mrs J. Bugden, of Coraki, from Beltoin'Park (Eng.), on Dec; 4th, says: 

I am writing you these few lines to let you know things are going well with me, and that I am still in the land of the living. 

I reached England on, the 14th November after a journey across 

'the seas that was mixed with a little of all sorts of adventures,' and which took eight, weeks to do. 

Well, we had a very-calm trip as far as the sea was concerned, there being only one or two days that were a little rough. 

We had leave for half a day at Fremantle, and spent a few pleasant hours in Perth. 

We got off the boat again when we reached Capetown, and the time off there was very welcome, as it was the means of getting a good feed, which, went very well, as the food and water aboard ship was not of the best. 

After leaving Capetown the voyage went very well, and the sea was as calm as a river going through the tropics, but it was pretty hot. 

When we were close to the English Channel we ran into a very heavy fog, and some German submarines got after us, and gave us a bit of an anxious time for a while. 

On the Saturday night before we reached England we were called up from our beds at 11 o'clock and told to get dressed and get lifebelts on as there were submarines all round us. 

The fog was that thick that a submarine could sneak right up to us and torpedo the ship without being seen. 

We have been told that we were very lucky to get through in safety, as there was supposed to be seven of them, which escaped through in the fog. 

We went very close to a collision with another ship in the fog, but we got through everything alright, and arrived safely at Plymouth, and I can tell you I was glad to get off the ship as I was just about tired of the boat. 

When we disembarked at Plymouth we were taken by train to Park House Camp, at Salisbury Plains and stayed there for nine days, and then went to Belton Park Camp, Grantham. 

We traveled through a fair bit of the country from Salisbury to Grantham, and. saw a little of the country, also some big towns. 

We were granted four days' leave after arrival at this camp and I' spent four days in London. I had a real good time of it in London, sight-seeing and one thing and another, but the worst part of it was that four days was not anyway near enough, for I think it would take months to have a look at everything. There is no doubt it is a, wonderful place. 

It is almost impossible to cross from one street to another owing to the traffic. The size of the place is just wonderful. It is pretty cold and dull there of, a night time, as there are no lights. All the street lamps are shaded and all blinds are kept down in the hotels and other buildings, and it is hard to find your way about, but there are plenty of theaters to go and put in an hour or two. 

The people over here all seem to be happy and cheerful. The war doesn't seem to trouble them much, and they all look forward to the result of tho war with confidence, and the time when the Huns will be conquered and beaten, which will not be very long. 

Have you had any news from Bob, or have you got his address, or whether he has left Australia? I wrote to him from Seymour, but never got any reply to the letter I sent him. 

Well, mother, this camp where I am now is not a bad place and we are well fed, and I feel real well and happy and contented. I don't know when I will go to the firing line, but it may be any day. You never know when you have to go once you are in England. 

Do not answer this letter, as I will send you another by next mail with another address as I am not certain of the proper address for a few days. Well, I think I have told you all I can think of at present so I will close.

The Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser

7 August 1917

Pte. Bugden in Scotland.

Pte. Jim Bugden writes to his mother, Mrs. J. Bugden, of Coraki, under date Jun 12th: — 

Just a line or two to let you know I am well and doing finely at present.

Well, mother, since writing to you last I have been discharged from hospital, and have had 10' days' furlough, so I went to' Scotland and spent the greater part of it in Glasgow and Edinburgh. I must say I had a good time in both cities.

I visited most of the public buildings in both places, also went through the shipbuilding yards and other places of interest, and there are some very great buildings indeed.

There is a great deal of difference between the two cities, Glasgow being a very industrial and busy city, whereas Edinburgh is a city of beauty, and with its numerous parks and gardens, all in full bloom and looking at their best, you look upon a very pretty city indeed.

And the people in Scotland are the best I have over struck. They arcs kindness itself. I was asked by scores of different ones to go and spend a few days with them at their homes , or if you can't stay for a few days then they :would say, 'come if only for a few hours.' I really forget how many different ones asked me the same thing.  

All I know is if I went with everyone that asked, well I would never have got back again to the army this year.

Any-way, I am back in London at the present moment, but my furlough expires to-day, and in few hours’ time I will be reporting for service again, so I suppose I will soon be back arguing the toss with the Huns in France. But I think Fritz's arguing days are numbered he is pretty well fixed now. I think it is only a matter of a brief time from now till the end..

I went to our headquarters here in London to see if I could find out anything about Bob, and I was successful in getting his number and address, which I am sending to you by this letter.

They also told me that he was almost sure to be in France by this time, and probably he has written to you before this.-

Well, I have written all I can think of at present, so I will close up with good wishes.

The Richmond River Express and Casino Kyogle Advertiser NSW

4 Dec 1917

PRIVATE BUGDEN, V.G.

Pte. Paddy J. Bugden, who was killed, in action In Belgium on September 28 last Has been awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery on the field. 

He was the oldest son of the late Mr T J Bugden, and was educated at the Gundurimba public school under Mr J Laverty. He was born in Gundurimba march 17, 1987 and was a splendid stamp of Australian, being 6 ft tall and 14st. 9lbs in weight. 

He was one of the best known athletes on the coast, he had won many medals for football and cricket and was never beaten at putting the weight. He enlisted May 24, 1916, and sailed for the front in September, 1916.

On the way home and at the front he won many valuable trophies for athletic sports.

For some time he was in the post office at Mullumbimby, leaving there to help his parents manage the Billinudgel and Alstonvill hotels.

General Birdwood singled him out as a splendid Australian, referring to his brave deeds the London “Gazette” says: 

Pte. Bugden on two occasions in face of a devastating machine gun fire led small parties to attack strongly defended pillboxes, and captured a garrison at the point of the bayonet.

Again when a corporal was being led back a captive, Pte. Bugden shot one captor and bayoneted the remaining two and released the corporal.

Pte. Bugden five times rescued wounded under fire. He showed utter contempt in danger volunteering for dangerous missions. During the execution of one of these, this gallant soldier was killed.”

Northern Star Lismore

11 March 1918

LATE PTE. J. P. BUGDEN, V.C.

FROM GENERAL BIRDWOOD AND; MAJOR-GENERAL J. T. HOBBS.

Mrs J J Kelly of Alstonville, mother of the late Pte. Paddy Bugden, V.C., is in receipt of the following letters regarding her brave soldier son.. . 

General Birdwood writes It is only now that I have been able to obtain your address for I have been "wanting to write to you for some time about, your gallant ‘boy, and to express 'my' deep sympathy with 'you in his loss. 

It is indeed a grievous blow for you to bear, and I realize there is nothing I can say to be of any great help to you in the great sacrifice; which you have made, but I trust it will' bring you some comfort in knowing how bravely your boy gave his' life in the face of the enemy for 'his King and country. 

“After detailing the 'circumstances which surrounded the winning of this great honor,

General Birdwood adds: As I have said no words can do justice to his magnificent conduct. 

I can only tell you again how deeply I regret his loss, which is mourned by his many comrades here; and all realise how thoroughly he' deserved the highest distinction that can be awarded for bravery in the field."

Major-General Hobbs writes: 

"I want on behalf of the 5th 'Australian Division' and myself, to express to you’re our mingled feelings of pride and 'sorrow- 

with regard to your gallant son Pte. Patrick Bugden, of the 31st Battalion, 

A.I.F; Pride and intense admiration for the gallantry and courage for which he was awarded the highest and most coveted honor a man can win, and sorrow for the loss of so brave and splendid a comrade, whose one idea was devotion to duty. 

His self-sacrifice and invaluable service' has met with "the recognition it so fully' deserved, and while deeply sympathise with you in your great sorrow, we rejoice, with-you in being the mother of such a son." The Major-General enclosed the order of the award.

Another letter was from Corporal Alex Thompson, whose life Pte Bugden saved under most trying and hazardous circumstances, in which he writes: "You. Can understand the debt I owe to Paddy Bugden for his bravery in rescuing me."

Northern Star Lismore, NSW

1924 28 Feb

The Late Paddy Bugden VC

To the Editor

Sir I noticed that in your report of the fire at the Commercial Hotel, Lismore, that it was stated that Mrs Bugden resident at the hotel, is the Mother of the Late Paddy Bugden, V C. 

I shall be glad if you will kindly correct that statement. 

The V C is at present held in safe custody for Mrs Kelly at the C S  And A Bank’ at Tweed heads.

Yours etc JAS. KELLY

Tweed Heads.

The Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser NSW

29 April 1938

PTE. PATRICK BUGDEN, V.C.

MEMORIES OF A GALLANT RIVERS' DIGGER.

Amongst the V.C. 's. it is well to recall these days was Private Patrick Bugden, 31st Battalion, who was decorated for conspicuous bravery on two' occasions in 1917, near Polygon Wood, when the Australian advance was held up by strongly defended 'pill boxes.'

In face of devastating fire from machine-guns  he led small parties to attack these strong points, and captured the garrison at the point of the bayonet. 

On five occasions he rescued wounded men under intense shell and gun fire, showing an utter contempt for danger. This gallant soldier was killed in September, 1917.

Pat Bugden was born on the Northern Rivers, but enlisted in Queensland.

Pt2http://leathemhistory.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/bugden-shire-bugdens-part-2.html