Sergeant William James Young #10186, 3rd Battalion

Photo by Bob Richardson 2014

Born on September 21, 1892 in Stockton-on-Tees, Durham, England, as son of John Fisher and Alice (Longstaff) Young, Middlesbrough, Durham. At time of enlistment details as follows: 6' 1/2" tall, fair complexion, hazel eyes, brown hair, religion Presbyterian, and single. He was working as a laborer in Toronto and a current member of the 10th Royal Grenadiers militia having had 4 years in the 4th Yorkshire Regiment in England. Strangely, the newspaper clipping in the Toronto Star announcing his death, refers him living with a "brother-in-law" with no mention of a wife.

Thanks to Marika Pirie

Was one of 15 officers and 386 ranks of the 10th Royal Grenadiers to volunteer and proceed in August 1914 to Valcartier Camp, Quebec where the 1st Contingent was forming. Enlisted September 22, 1914 in the 3rd Battalion. Private Young accompanied the 3rd Battalion overseas on the S.S. Tunisian where they trained through the winter of 1914-15 on Salisbury Plain. The 3rd Battalion traveled to France on February 11 entering the line several weeks later. At some point, William Young was promoted to Corporal and eventually Sergeant. He had an older brother, Charles Young, who had proceeded him to Canada. Charles was a Boer War veteran and served in the CEF 28th Battalion #73973.

Killed in action on August 12, 1915 with several of his mates while the 3rd Battalion was in reserve trenches Ploegsteert Wood, Belgium. Presumably he was one of the 100 men sent out that day to work on trenches. Buried in Ploegsteert Wood Military Cemetery grave III.B.2.

His attestation paper can be viewed HERE
His page on the Veteran Affairs Canada Virtual War Memorial can be viewed HERE