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Cenotaph record

Ernest Derek Bougen

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SJT E.D Bougen (Right) taking a break amongst the rubble of Monte Cassino, Italy 1944.

SJT E.D Bougen

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Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Ernest Derek AWMM
  • Surname
    Bougen AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    • Jayforce 44933 AWMM
    • WWII 44933 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    • WW2 Pre 1941 AWMM Seddon St., Raetihi AWMM
    • Jayforce Pre 1946-1948 AWMM Seddon St., Raetihi AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    • WW2 Mr. E. Bougen, Seddon St., Raetihi (f) AWMM
    • Jayforce Mr. E. Bougen, Seddon St., Raetihi (f) AWMM
  • Relationship status

Service

Wars and conflicts

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Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Military Medal (MM) AWMM
      20 September 1945 AWMM
      'Between 12-26 January 1945 Sergeant Bougen was Platoon Sergeant of a forward platoon during the period of defensive warfare in the RIVER SENIO sector, Italy. The area, south of Route 9, was under heavy shell and mortar fire and periodically engaged by enemy small-arms fire in strength. Conditions were wintry and there was general expectation of an enemy counter-attack in force. Throughout this period he remained cheerful and the morale of his men was substantially influenced by his personal bravery and his constant thought for their welfare. By his example and leadership the platoon reached a high pitch of aggressive efficiency, In an earlier period, during the advance through Rimini and Viserba from 21 September 1944, he commanded a platoon in action with conspicuous merit. All objectives were taken and in skilfully-led attacks on German strong points more than 50 of the enemy were captured and many others killed or wounded. In the attacks south of Florence in July-August 1944, particularly in the La Romola area, the platoon under his command overcame in every instance the fierce enemy resistance. Sergeant Bougen’s repeated disregard of his personal safety and the force of his example spurred his men on to fresh endeavours and maintained the fighting efficiency of the unit at a very high level. This was crowned by the prominent part he took in the capture of the hill feature La Poggiona against extraordinarily determined resistance when this fell the enemy immediately withdrew several miles to the line of the River Arno. On 15 December 1944 he led his platoon over hilly and difficult country in the attack from beyond the River Lamone to the Senio south of Route 9. Sergeant Bougen and his men moved steadily forward in a most successful advance, capturing several enemy strong points and taking 20 prisoners with as many or more killed and wounded. A natural leader of men, Sergeant Bougen consistently performed all tasks with courage and ability, His influence in shaping and sharpening the fighting qualities of his platoon was profound and served as a model and an inspiration to his men.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Bougen, Ernest Derek. (Ref. WO 373/13/682). Military Medal. AWMM
    • Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
  • Enlistment
    WW2 Farm hand/Civilian AWMM
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes

Last known rank

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  • Last rank

Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • WO II E. D. Bougen, MM, m.i.d.; Raetihi; born Taihape, 18 Mar 1918; farmhand. (Source: Henderson, J. 22 Battalion. p.334.)

    'They returned the enemy's fire, and soon most thankfully realised from the elevation of his fire that he was withdrawing. Slowly in line abreast, a few yards apart, they edged up the hill to the top, probed a hundred yards forward in silence, then suddenly met a rain of mortar bombs plus spandau fire again. They pulled back just behind the crest of the protecting ridge, just twenty-four men, and dug in frantically, using steel helmets, knives and bayonets, two men to a trench. One man shared a trench with Sergeant Mick Bougen: ‘I wonder if Mick knew I wanted to lean on him heavily for moral support because he was calm and placid?’' (Source: Henderson, J. 22 Battalion. p. 334.) AWMM
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Death

About death

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  • Death
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

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Sources

Sources

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  • External links
    • 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.' (London Gazette, 20 September 1945, p.4677.). Military Medal.
      http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37274/supplements/4677
      Further Reference
    • 'Between 12-26 January 1945 Sergeant Bougen was Platoon Sergeant of a forward platoon during the period of defensive warfare in the RIVER SENIO sector, Italy. The area, south of Route 9, was under heavy shell and mortar fire and periodically engaged by enemy small-arms fire in strength. Conditions were wintry and there was general expectation of an enemy counter-attack in force. Throughout this period he remained cheerful and the morale of his men was substantially influenced by his personal bravery and his constant thought for their welfare. By his example and leadership the platoon reached a high pitch of aggressive efficiency, In an earlier period, during the advance through Rimini and Viserba from 21 September 1944, he commanded a platoon in action with conspicuous merit. All objectives were taken and in skilfully-led attacks on German strong points more than 50 of the enemy were captured and many others killed or wounded. In the attacks south of Florence in July-August 1944, particularly in the La Romola area, the platoon under his command overcame in every instance the fierce enemy resistance. Sergeant Bougen’s repeated disregard of his personal safety and the force of his example spurred his men on to fresh endeavours and maintained the fighting efficiency of the unit at a very high level. This was crowned by the prominent part he took in the capture of the hill feature La Poggiona against extraordinarily determined resistance when this fell the enemy immediately withdrew several miles to the line of the River Arno. On 15 December 1944 he led his platoon over hilly and difficult country in the attack from beyond the River Lamone to the Senio south of Route 9. Sergeant Bougen and his men moved steadily forward in a most successful advance, capturing several enemy strong points and taking 20 prisoners with as many or more killed and wounded. A natural leader of men, Sergeant Bougen consistently performed all tasks with courage and ability, His influence in shaping and sharpening the fighting qualities of his platoon was profound and served as a model and an inspiration to his men.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Bougen, Ernest Derek. (Ref. WO 373/13/682). Military Medal.
      http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7355431
      Further Reference
  • References
    • Henderson, J. (1958). 22 Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM
      pp.334, 391, 438. AWMM
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 4 (Embarkations from 1st April, 1941 to 30 June, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      p.37 AWMM
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1950). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 16 (Embarkations from 1st January, 1946 to 30th June, 1948). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      p.14 AWMM
    • Brocklebank, L.W. (1997). Jayforce : New Zealand and the military occupation of Japan, 1945-48. Auckland, N.Z.: Oxford University Press. AWMM

Contributors

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DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
27 April 2016NicholasWanganui, New ZealandDirect descendant

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