Alexander Young (VC) explained

Alexander Young
Birth Date:1873 1, df=y
Birth Place:Clarinbridge, County Galway, Ireland[1]
Death Place:France
Placeofburial:Thiepval Memorial
Allegiance:United Kingdom
Cape Colony
South Africa
Branch:British Army
South African Army
Serviceyears:1890–1916
Rank:Lieutenant
Unit:2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays)
Cape Police
Battles:Reconquest of Sudan
Second Boer War
Bambatha Rebellion
First World War
Awards:Victoria Cross

Alexander Young, VC (27 January 1873 – 19 October 1916) was an Irish-born South African soldier and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

A native of Oranmore, County Galway, Young joined the Queen's Bays on 22 May 1890 at Renmore. He served for a time in India, becoming a riding instructor. He took part in the reconquest of Sudan, and afterwards went to South Africa, joining the Cape Police as an instructor, with the rank of regimental sergeant major, serving in the Second Boer War.[2]

VC details

Young was 28 years old and a sergeant-major in the Cape Police, South African Forces during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

Later service

Continuing with the Cape Police, from 1904 Young served on the border with German South West Africa during the Herero Wars, and in 1906 helped suppress the Bambatha Rebellion in Natal.[2]

During the First World War, in 1915 he served with the Natal Light Horse in South West Africa, then in the North African Senussi campaign.[2] Volunteering for service in France, he was commissioned in the South African Scottish Regiment with the rank of lieutenant. He was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme on 19 October 1916. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial in France[3] and St. Nicholas's church, Galway.

The medal

Young's Victoria Cross is held in Lord Ashcroft's VC collection in the Imperial War Museum, London.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Anglo Boer War.com . 1 March 2013.
  2. News: Lieutenant Alexander Young . 23 December 1916. 7 July 2024 . Army and Navy Gazette (via britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk). 13.
  3. News: CWGC entry . 7 July 2024.
  4. Web site: Lord Ashcroft VC collection . 1 March 2013.