Frank Edward Young (VC)

He freed captured men and fought for hours until overwhelmed

Frank Edward Young VC was born at Cherat, India, on 2 October 1895, the son of a soldier. His family returned to England and settled at Hitchin. He joined the Territorial Force as a boy and worked at Hitchin's power station before the First World War.

After medical treatment delayed his departure, Young reached France in January 1915 with the Hertfordshire Regiment. He fought beside his father and became a bombing instructor. An accident brought him home for hospital treatment, but he recovered and received a commission in 1917.

Young served in training units and briefly attempted flying training in 1918. After a crash he returned to the infantry, rejoining the Hertfordshires in France in September.

On 18 September 1918, near Triangle Wood south-east of Havrincourt, a German counterattack struck his company's positions. Young visited the posts under heavy fire, warned and encouraged the defenders, rescued two captured men and silenced a machine gun with bombs.

He then fought back to the main barricade and drove off Germans assembling there. Throughout four hours of fighting he continued leading his men. Last seen resisting at close quarters, he was killed that day, aged 22.

His body was found later in September, and he was eventually buried in Hermies Hill British Cemetery. His Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously. His entitlement also included the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, reflecting service that had begun well before his final action.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery, determination and exceptional devotion to duty on 18th September, 1918, south-east of Havrincourt, when during an enemy counter-attack and throughout an extremely intense enemy barrage he visited all posts, warned the garrisons and encouraged the men. In the early stages of the attack he rescued two of his men who had been captured, and bombed and silenced an enemy machinegun. Although surrounded by the enemy, 2nd Lt. Young fought his way back to the main barricade and drove out a party of the enemy who were assembling there. By his further exertions the battalion was able to maintain a line of great tactical value, the loss of which would have meant serious delay to further operations. Throughout four hours of intense hand-to-hand fighting 2nd Lt. Young displayed the utmost valour and devotion to duty, and set an example to which the company gallantly responded. He was last seen fighting hand to hand against a considerable number of the enemy.

Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 13 December 1918. 14 December 1918, Numb. 31067, p. 14776