Ernest William Bugge
Service Number: 5544
Enlisted: 15 May 1916, Brunswick, Vic.
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 22nd Infantry Battalion
Born:St Arnaud, Victoria, Australia, 1898
Home Town: Brunswick East, Moreland, Victoria
Occupation: Labourer
Died: Killed in Action, Bullecourt, France, 3 May 1917
Cemetery: No known grave - "Known Unto God"
Villers-Bretonneux Memorial
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Birchip Curyo School & District Great War Honor Roll, City of Brunswick Honour Roll, Curyo District WW1 Honour Roll, Curyo Memorial Gates, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial
Pte. Ernest William BUGGE
(Contributed by Peter Rowley)
Pte Ernest William BUGGE, was born 15th April 1898, the first born of George Hennerick and Lucy Jane BUGGE (nee HARRIS)
He was Killed in Action in the 2nd Offensive at Bullecourt on 3/5/1917, aged just 19 years and 18 days.
Ernest had lied about his age and gone to sign up for the AIF, but his mother found out in the nick of time. But when Ernest had turned 18, he did go again to join up. But not being 21, a Parent or Guardian had to give permission. His mother agreed, but had specified that Ernest, could only go if he was "not to enter Trenches before his nineteenth birthday". The Army was open to such requests. He was sent to France.
By the 12th April, (3 days before his birthday), Ernest had entered the Frontline Trenches at Bullecourt. And 21 days later he was Killed in Action in the above mentioned 2nd Offensive at Bullecourt.
His remains were never found. His Memorial is at Villers-Bretoneux in France.
Ernest William Bugge.
Service Number 5544
Ernest William Bugge was born at Swanwater Victoria in 1898 to parents George Henry Bugge and Lucy Jane (nee Harris).
The Bugge family once owned land in the Curyo district and also had associations with the Curyo Store.
Ernest enlisted at the age of eighteen years and one month in May 1916.
Ernest’s details, taken at East Brunswick, stated that his mother gave permission for her son to enlist providing that he was not to enter the trenches until he reached the age of nineteen.
If his mother’s wishes were complied with he survived only a couple of weeks in the trenches.
Ernest’s father George Henry Bugge had enlisted the previous year. He survived the war and returned home to eventually continue farming including in the Patchewollock district.
Private Ernest William Bugge served in France on the Western Front and died at Bullecourt on the 3rd May 1917. His war service lasted 12 months.
His name is listed at the Villers Bretonneux Military Cemetery Picardie France and also at the Commemorative Area of the Australian War Memorial.
Ernest William Bugge’s name features on the Curyo Memorial Gates and his portrait hangs proudly in the Curyo Fire Shed . (2026)
Lest We Forget.