Sergeant Thomas Young (born as Thomas Morrell) VC (28 January 1895 − 15 October 1966) was a British Army soldier and an English recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.[2]
Thomas Young | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | Thomas Morrell |
| Born | 28 January 1895 Boldon, County Durham, England |
| Died | 15 October 1966 (aged 71) Whickham, England |
| Buried | St Patrick's Cemetery, High Spen |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1914−1921 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Service number | 203590[1] |
| Unit | Durham Light Infantry |
| Battles / wars | World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Details
editThomas was from High Spen in what is now the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead.[1] He was 23 years old, and a private in the 9th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
During the period 25/31 March 1918 at Bucquoy, France, Private Young, a stretcher-bearer, worked unceasingly evacuating the wounded from seemingly impossible places. On nine occasions he went out in front of British lines in broad daylight, under heavy rifle, machine-gun and shell fire and brought back wounded to safety. Those too badly wounded to be moved before dressing, he dressed under fire and then carried them back unaided. He saved nine lives in this manner.[3]
A memorial to Thomas Young and Frederick William Dobson another VC recipient from High Spen was unveiled in July 2007 and can be seen in the grounds of High Spen primary school.
Legacy
editHis VC was displayed at the Durham Light Infantry Museum & Durham Art Gallery in Durham City.[4]
Statues by the sculptor, Roger Andrews, depicting Young and Lieutenant Richard Annand VC, who served with the Durham Light Infantry in the Second World War, were unveiled inside South Shields Town Hall in May 2007.[5][6]
References
edit- ^ a b Gliddon 2013, p. 122.
- ^ Gliddon 2013, pp. 121–124.
- ^ "No. 30726". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 May 1918. p. 6572.
- ^ Gliddon 2013, p. 124.
- ^ "Unveiling of Statues of Lt Annand VC and Pte Thomas Young VC". Durham Light Infantry Association. 6 May 2007. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ "Statues Annand VC and Young VC". North East War Memorials Project. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
Bibliography
edit- Gliddon, Gerald (2013) [2004]. Spring Offensive 1918. VCs of the First World War. The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7524-8730-4.
- Whitworth, Alan (2015). VCs of the North: Cumbria, Durham & Northumberland. Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1473848221.
External links
edit- Location of grave and VC medal (Co. Durham)
- History of High Spen, where Young lived
- Memorial to two village heroes at High Spen Primary School