Name
George Walter Young
1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/05/1918
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Captain
East Yorkshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
SOISSONS MEMORIAL
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Tring Town Memorial, St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour, Tring, WW1 Memorial, Bedford Modern School, Bedford
Pre War
George Walter Young was born in Tring in 1896 (baptised 15 Nov 1896 in Kings Langley) to George Thomas Young, estate clerk, and Eleanor (nee Wilson).
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, George Walter, and Marcus (born 1898) were living at 15 High Street, Tring.
On the 1911 Census George was listed as a boarder at the Modern School, Bedford. His parents were still living at 15, High Street, Tring with his younger brothers Albert Edward (born 1902) and Jack (born 1905).
George, while at Bedford Modern School, was a member of the Officers Training Corps and at Easter 1914 was a Cadet Sergeant (SNCO No 1 Section).
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for him. He may have enlisted shortly after the outbreak of the Great War in the the Public Schools (18th to 21st) Battalions Royal Fusiliers. George was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant on 17 Oct 1914 in the 8th (Service) Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, as part of 62 Brigade 21 Division and went to France with them in Sep 1915. They rushed and were rushed into action at the Battle of Loos (25 Sep – 8 Oct 1915) where he was wounded. Returning following recovery he may have been attached to 1st/4th Battalion (a Territorial Unit) part of 150th (York & Durham) Brigade of 50th (Northumbrian) Division which was a Territorial Formation. In 1916 the division were involved in the Battles of the Somme, in 1917 the Battles of Arras and 3rd Ypres (Passchendaele).
In 1918 the Division took part in defence against the German Spring offensive before being placed under the French to take part in the Battle of the Aisne (27 May – 6 Jun 1918). George was reported killed in action on 27 May 1918, his remains were not recovered and he is remembered on Soissons memorial.
From the Bucks Herald 15th June 1918: “ROLL OF HONOUR. – The war has taken yet another toll of the brave lads of Tring by the death of Capt. George W. Young, East Yorks, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. G. T. Young, of Tring Park Estate Office, with whom the most sincere sympathy is felt, especially as their second eldest son, Lieut. M. Young has not been heard of for some considerable time, and has been missing since one of the great battles of the recent offensive.
Capt. Young was only 21 years of age; he joined the Public Schools Battalion early in the war, and on being promoted to a lieutenancy in the East Yorks was for some time in training at Halton camp. He went out with the 21st Division, and was wounded in the Battle of Loos, since which time he has been wounded twice.
Going out to France for the fourth time on April 16 last, he served with distinction in the great battles until May 27, when he met his death, notification of which was received from the War Office on Saturday. His Lieut.-Colonel, in a letter to Mr. Young, said that "Capt. Young fell on the heights of Craonne, doing splendid work, and that his loss came as a great blow to the Battalion.”
From the Parish Magazine July 1918: “George Walter Young, Captain 4th East Yorks Regiment, joined the public schools Battalion on the out break of the war. In October 1914, he got his commission as a 2nd/Lt in the 8th East Yorks Regiment and came for training with the 21st division at Halton Camp. He proceeded to France with the division and was second in command of his company at the Battle of Loos, where he was severely wounded. He was promoted to Lieutenant, January 1915. When he recovered he re-joined his regiment on 25 September 1915 and was again wounded during the fighting at Munchy Le Prieux. He was made Captain early in 1917. As soonAs soon as he was strong enough he started off for France again, and was wounded for the 3rd time at Noreuil on December 17th 1917. Once more when he recovered and pleaded to re-join his men, and crossed the Channel on 16th April 1918.
He was killed by a shell with several others of his men on the Heights of Craonne on May 27th. His Colonel writing says ‘He has done splendid work and his loss comes as a great blow to the Regiment. We were awfully proud to have him with us, and he will always remain a splendid memory, both for his soldierly and personal qualities which bound everyone to him.’”
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £6 and arrears of £216 12s 10d was paid to his father.
His younger brother served in RFA and was killed in action on 24 Mary1918.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer, Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
