William Young (VC)

He carried wounded comrades to safety under heavy rifle fire

William Young was born at Maryhill, Glasgow, in 1876. He worked as a labourer before joining the East Lancashire Regiment in 1891. After transfer to the reserve he married Mary Ellen Simmons and settled at Preston, where they raised nine children. Recalled in 1914, he reached France in September and was subsequently wounded and gassed.

East of Fonquevillers on 22 December 1915, Young saw a wounded sergeant lying beyond the British wire. He went out without orders and was hit in the jaw and chest. Despite these wounds he continued and, with another soldier, brought the sergeant back. His rescue earned the Victoria Cross.

Evacuated to England, he underwent repeated operations to repair his jaw. He returned briefly to Preston to a civic welcome before further treatment. After an operation at Aldershot he failed to recover from the anaesthetic and died on 27 August 1916. He was buried in Preston Cemetery. His widow received the posthumous decoration that November.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery. On seeing that his Serjeant had been wounded he left his trench to attend to him under very heavy fire. The wounded Non-Commissioned Officer requested Private Young to get under cover, but he refused, and was almost immediately very seriously wounded by having both jaws shattered. Notwithstanding his terrible injuries, Private Young continued endeavouring to effect the rescue upon which he had set his mind, and eventually succeeded with the aid of another soldier. He then went unaided to the dressing station, where it was discovered that he had also been wounded by a rifle bullet in the chest. The great fortitude, determination, courage, and devotion to duty displayed by this soldier, could hardly be surpassed.

Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 28 March 1916. 30 March 1916, Numb. 29527, p. 3410