Sergeant Archibald George Young - Military Medal 10/11/1916 for Bravery In The Field
| Date of Birth | c1884 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 33 |
| Date of Death | 2 May 1917 |
| Service Number | 10105 |
| Military Service | 4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish) |
| Merton Address | 33 Briscoe Road, Colliers Wood Merton, London |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
Archibald George was the second son born to William and Mary Young in the last quarter of 1884. His father William was employed as a general labourer. The 1891 Census reveals that the family were living in Merton, William was aged age 34 years with his wife Mary age 30 and their 4 children, William age 8, Archibald age 6, their sister Elizabeth age 4, and Georgiana age 2 also with their lodger Arthur Weedon a 27 year old painter.
The 1911 Census reveals that Mary Young, the mother was now a widow at the age of 50 had given birth to a total of 5 children born alive, of which 4 were still living with her at 33 Briscoe Road in Collier’s Wood.
Archibald George, age 26, who was single, was employed as a fitter’s mate in an iron foundry.
At the outbreak of war in 1914, at the age of 30 years’ he joined the army reserve. In September 1914, he was promoted ‘in the field’ to corporal and then acting sergeant in May 1915 with his promotion confirmed to sergeant on Christmas Eve 24th December 1915.
His service record shows that he served at Rouen in November 1914 and a notice in the London Gazette dated 10/11/1916, he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field.
His service records reveal that this previously fit young man was admitted to hospital in Boulogne in January with atrophy of muscles in his left hand. He was posted to the Eastbourne depot in January 1917
Sgt Young was admitted to hospital on 1st February 1917, discharged from hospital 2nd March 1917. Further records shows that while he was in command of the Eastbourne depot when he admitted seriously ill because he had developed bronco-pneumonia where he died from this illness on 2nd May 1917. He was buried at Mitcham Church Road burial ground
His widow and child were awarded a pension of 21s and 3d on 12th November 1917.
His mother Mary Young lost 2 sons during the First World War; her other son Percival Ernest aged just 23 years was killed in action on the 21st November 1914