Born in New Zealand on 28 November 1886, “Clem Bogle moved to Western Australia with his father William in 1897. He came into prominence after a good showing against the English cricketers in 1908 and was selected for WA’s 1909 tour of the eastern states. While an artful left winger, his slight build meant he was susceptible to being knocked off the ball. Only if they were able to catch him, since he was notorious for dropping the shoulder and leaving an opponent in his wake. Like his winger team-mate Vic Allen, Bogle was an accurate crosser of the ball and would also be seen lurking around an opponent’s goal when play was active along the opposite flank.
Educated at Pahiahia and Hastings in New Zealand and later at Fremantle WA, Bogle completed a fitter apprenticeship at the Midland Junction and Fremantle Government Locomotive workshops before starting up Bogle Brothers (a General Agents and Merchants business) in Geraldton WA, around 1912 with his brother Charles Herman Bogle. He later acquired sole ownership once Charles became a pastoralist at Narndee Station, near Mount Magnet. CH Bogle (1883-1960) was one of four supporters and a team selector on tour.
Clem became a prominent resident of the mid-west town of Geraldton, where he was once president of the local Chamber of Commerce, member of the Liberal Party and Geraldton Golf Club, of which he was captain and Club Champion in 1928. He served in France during World War I as Sergeant of the Australian Engineers and Captain, OC ‘D’ Company, 19th Garrison Battalion during World War II in Geraldton and Broome at a time when Australia was under threat from Japan. Clem Bogle passed away in Geraldton in 1970.”
Excerpted from Richard Kreider The Soccerites.