Thomas Young

Born in Boldon Colliery, County Durham, on 28 January 1895, he was a miner before he enlisted as a Private in the 9th Battalion DLI in 1914 - a Territorial battalion with its Headquarters in Gateshead. Thomas Young was born Morrell, his mother remarried after his father died in a mining accident and he took the name of his step-father. He served as a stretcher bearer on the Western Front and was twice wounded before he gained the Victoria Cross for his bravery between 25 and 31 March 1918 at Bucquoy in France. He was presented with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 29 June 1918.

After the War, he returned to mining and worked at High Spen colliery, marrying Rachel Welch from Rowlands Gill in May 1920. In July 1920, he re-enlisted in 9 DLI for a year. During WW2, he joined the Durham Home Guard.

Thomas Young, who was an enthusiastic member of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, died at Whickham aged 71 years on 14 October 1966. He is buried at St. Patrick's, High Spen.

Thomas Young is remembered by his grandson John as a modest man, who was 'one of the lads', who was generous and loved his whippets.

See "Beyond Praise. The Durham Light Infantrymen who were awarded the Victoria Cross" by Stephen D Shannon, 1998, ISBN 1 897585 44 6. This has a foreword by Richard Annand VC.