Bugden Avenue, Alstonville

This war memorial is a road and an avenue of trees named in honour of Private Patrick Joseph Bugden VC, who was killed in action in the First World War. The trees were already well-established before the road was renamed.

The original memorial at this site was a timber sign, indicating the street was a memorial to the late Private. In March 1944, the Alstonville RSL wrote to Tintenbar Shire Council to suggest replacing the board with a more "suitable marble slab ... or that the street containing an avenue of trees ... be renamed 'Bugden Avenue' and a suitable notice be erected." Any action was deferred until after the end of the Second World War (Northern Star, 2 March 1944).

On 25 March 1947, the council announced it would be applying to the Minister for Local Government to change the name of Lismore Road to Bugden Avenue (Northern Star, 26 March 1947).

The following February, the RSL decided to seek permission from the council to erect a monument and plaque to Bugden at the road (Northern Star, 14 February 1948). It took the form of a column and tablet, which were unveiled by his mother, Mrs J. Kelly of Brisbane, on 26 April 1948. The tablet also included a dedication to those who had served in both world wars. The ceremony was conducted by the Reverend J. V. Robinson and the event was described in the Northern Star the next day. 

The trees are still located in the avenue, near the intersection with South Street. However, the original column is no longer there. A newer monument was erected in 1997, known was the Paddy Bugden VC Memorial, Alstonville. 

Read more about Private Patrick Joseph Bugden on the NSW War Memorials Register.