Name
Francis Joseph Young (MM)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/08/1918
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
22434
Royal Irish Fusiliers
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Military Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RAMLEH WAR CEMETERY
U.33
Israel and Palestine (including Gaza)
UK & Other Memorials
Welwyn Village Memorial, Welwyn
St Mary the Virgin Roll of Honour, Welwyn
Pre War
Born in Paddington on 29 November 1892, only son of Frank and Annie Maria Young and baptised in St Mary's Paddington on 15 January 1893. By 1901 Frank, a horsekeeper and his family had moved to Welwyn, living in The Plain (now the junction of School Lane and the High Street). Francis Joseph was educated at Welwyn School and then worked as a Gardener.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment on 4 September 1914 and served with them in the BEF in France and Flanders as 14331 from February until April 1915 when he was wounded during the attack on Hill 60. After recovery he was transferred to the 5th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers. In November 1915 the Battalion was sent to Salonika, where it was involved in much action including the Serbian retreat. August 1917 saw him sent to Eygpt where he was involved in the advance through Palestine, fighting at Gaza, Mejdel, Haifa and Jerusalem. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field in January 1918 but was wounded on 10th March 1918, spending four months in hospital. On leaving hospital he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. He was again wounded on the 28th August and died at Neby Salek, near Jerusalem on 30th August, from his wounds.
Additional Information
Mother Annie was awarded a war gratuity of £19 and received his pay owing of £6 5s 3d, his father having died in 1912.
Acknowledgments
Paul Jiggens, Welwyn and District History Society - www.welwynww1.co.uk, Brenda Palmer
