Paddy Bugden VC

This memorial is in honour of Patrick "Paddy" Bugden VC, who came from this district.

He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the saving the lives of many wounded comrades during the Battle of Polygon Wood, at Zonnebeke in Belgium. An action that eventually cost him his own life.

"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when, on two occasions, our advance was temporarily held up by strongly defended "pill boxes". Private Bugden, in the face of devastating fire from machine guns, gallantly led small parties to attack these strong points, and, successfully silencing the machine guns with bombs, captured the garrison at the point of the bayonet.

On another occasion, when a Corporal, who had become detached from his company, had been captured and was being taken to the rear by the enemy, Private Bugden, single handed, rushed to the rescue of his comrade, shot one enemy, and bayonetted the remaining two, thus releasing the Corporal. On five occasions, he rescued wounded men under intense shell and machine gun fire, showing an utter contempt and disregard for danger.

Always foremost in volunteering for any dangerous mission, it was during the execution of one of these missions that this gallant soldier was killed."

London Gazette, 23 November 1917