Name
Robert Percival Young (MC)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/12/1917
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
Royal Sussex Regiment
1st/4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Military Cross
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
JERUSALEM WAR CEMETERY
Row M, Grave 11.
Israel and Palestine (including Gaza)
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
St Mary's Parish Church Memorial, Watford,
Brighton War Memorial, Sussex,
St Luke's Church Memorial, Brighton, Sussex,
St Peter's Church Memorial Book, Brighton, Sussex,
Horsham War Memorial, Sussex,
Holy Trinity Church Mem
Pre War
Son of the Reverend Arthur Frederick and Alice Maud (nee HOY) YOUNG of Brighton, Sussex.
His parents married 24 April 1889 at St Mary’s, Watford. Alice died 22 June 1936 in Brighton aged 78; Arthur died 11 August 1951 in Chichester, Sussex, aged 93.
Percival was born 1 May 1890 in Horsham, Sussex, and baptised 9 June 1890 at St Mary’s, Horsham. He was educated at St John’s Foundation School, Leatherhead, Surrey, and Horsham Grammar School.
On the 1891 Census, aged 11 months he lived in Horsham, with his parents and no siblings. On the 1901 Census, a school boy aged 10, he was a boarder in Leatherhead. On the 1911 Census, a student aged 20, he was a boarder in St Pancras, London.
Wartime Service
He attested 3 September 1914 in the Territorial Force for 4 years’ service in the U.K.: an actor aged 24, 5’10” tall; Private 2467 23rd (County of London) Battalion London Regiment.
He served at Home 3 September to 25 December 1914, and after officer training was appointed Second Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment on 7 December 1914.
He embarked from Devonport 5 September 1915 arriving Alexandria 18 September 1915, and joined his Battalion in Gallipoli 24 September 1915, returning to Alexandria 19 December 1915.
He was attached to the Instructional Staff at the Imperial School of Instruction 22 July 1916, and re-joined his Battalion at Ballybunion 3 September 1916.
He was wounded in the First Battle of Gaza 26 March 1917, a gun shot wound to the head, went first to 54th Casualty Clearing Station 27 March 1917, then to 17th General Hospital Alexandria 2 April 1917, re-joining his Battalion 8 May 1917.
He was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry and devotion to duty 23 November 1917; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 18 September 1915, and was killed in action near Bethlehem.
Additional Information
Has and entry in the De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour.
There are articles about Robert in the West Sussex Gazette dated 27 December 1917, and in the West Sussex County Times dated 23 February 1918.
He has an entry in the National Probate Calendar.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
