Campbelltown 

This year in Campbelltown, the Anzac Day march was solely restricted to veterans, however, the College was actively involved in the 9am service in Mawson Park. I was joined by Ms Lennox, Ms Roa and Mr Nash (who took wonderful photos)  and students Abbey C, Amadee T, Bianca R, Monique R, Jordana N and Annabella F. Our College Captain, Amadee T presented a wreath on behalf of the students and staff of the College. Abbey C of Year 10 was given the honour of giving the student address at the service. Abbey spoke about the importance of honouring the service of those who have fallen no matter the distance of time and spoke of the service of her great-great uncle Paddy Bugden VC. The following is her speech:

 ‘We are going into the firing line tomorrow. If by chance anything happens, I feel that I shall gain a place of happiness, for I have never done a deed in my life that I am ashamed of, so I fear nothing. 

These brave words were written by a young man, 20 years of age, in a letter to his mother in World War I on the Western Front.  This soldier was later awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross, in recognition of his bravery and valour displayed during the war. 

Acts of bravery and courage are everyday occurrences in war. There are thousands of other young Australian men and women who served their country undertaking courageous acts and were never awarded medals.  The bravery and sacrifice of these Australians simply cannot be overlooked. If these Australians were willing to die for us, then the least we can do is share their stories and honour their memories.

For a young person, the stories of war can seem far away and difficult to connect to, but for me, that is not the case. Everyday I pass by the old Congregational cemetery next to my school, and catch a glimpse of the three memorial tablets and one grave of Campbelltown men who served on the Western Front. The memorial tablets are the most poignant. Campbelltown families erected these to the memory of their sons on their family headstones, in this case,  Stephen Longhurst, James Roughley Longhurst and Frank Jenner Nicol. This was their act of grief, their place of mourning as they would never visit their sons’ final resting places in France. For the two Longhurst boys, their bodies were never recovered and there was no final resting place to ever visit.  The one World War I grave in that cemetery belongs to Herbert Harry Kitching who fought on the Western Front, was gassed in 1917 and then recuperated. However, like many of those who returned, his lungs were badly affected and he died in 1920.  Casualties of war do not end when war ends. 

Seeing these commemorative graves every day gives me the chance to reflect on the sacrifice of both those at the battle front and those on the homefront in war. In World War I,  the rural village of Campbelltown had a population of just over 2000 people. It sent 250 to war with 42 killed in action.  We, as a community, gave so much, and banded together in this time of great difficulty and this was the same for so many Australian towns. Every family was affected and everyone knew a family who had lost someone. So many stories of shared grief have been passed down through families over the years.

It is through this process of passing down stories that I came across the man whose quote I read at the beginning of my speech. This man's name was Patrick Bugden, and he was my great, great uncle.

Patrick, who was known to his friends and family as Paddy, was awarded a Victoria Cross for his bravery and valour during battle. The official citation of his Victoria Cross states that “On two occasions, when held up by intense fire from machine-guns, he led small parties to silence the enemy posts. Five times he rescued wounded men trapped by intense shelling and machine-gun fire. Once, seeing that an Australian corporal had been taken prisoner, he single-handedly rushed to his comrade's aid, shooting and bayoneting the enemy. He kept fighting until he was killed.”

After he died, he was awarded the Victoria Cross on 23 November 1917. The Victoria Cross is one of the highest medals of valour an Australian can receive. King George the fifth personally wrote a letter to Paddy’s mother, speaking highly of her son's bravery, and expressing deep regret for her loss. 

He was not the only one who wrote to Paddy’s mother. Many friends and other soldiers who had served with him also wrote to her, and these letters express the deep love, admiration and respect that they had for Paddy. 

The Mullumbimby Star, when reporting of his death and Victoria Cross, said “The late Paddy was one, who by his manly and gentlemanly demeanour, not only won the respect, but love of all who knew him. At school he was a general favourite, and had a brilliant career, both in the school and on the sports field. He was a noted footballer and cricketer, and had many medals showing his prowess as an athlete. He always played the game.” Patrick Bugden, despite being young and afraid, displayed selflessness, courage and determination, and I consider it an honour to be his great great niece.

Six young men from Paddy’s family went off to war. Out of these six young men, only one came back. Such sacrifice and grief was experienced by so many Australian families. 

Over 100,000 Australian men and women have paid the ultimate sacrifice in all conflicts. When creating the Australian War Memorial, Charles Bean, wrote its aim, which is essentially what we are  doing here today :

  ‘Here is their spirit, in the heart of the land they loved; and here we guard the record which they themselves made.’ 

 Lest We Forget’

Camden Anzac Day

A march was held in Camden this year and each school was permitted a limited number of students. Our contingent proudly marched with the school banner around Camden Showground and over Cawdor Rd to the RSL Rose Garden where the service was held. Students involved were Olivia L, Amelia C, Abbie H, Lily K, Annabelle M, Ava M, Annalise S and Mia W and all the students presented a wreath on behalf of the students and staff.

I wish to thank Mr Williams, Mrs Durrington, Mrs Pollicina, Mrs Pereira and Mrs Samyia for also attending and supporting the students.

Fran Musico Rullo - HSIE Teacher