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YOUNG, Alexander Dickie McKerchar
| Service Number: | 3539 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 July 1915, Keswick, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 50th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | North Adelaide, South Australia, 30 April 1897 |
| Home Town: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Moulder |
| Died: | Natural causes, Adelaide, South Australia, 23 July 1951, aged 54 years |
| Cemetery: |
West Terrace Cemetery (General) Buried with his wife - Ivy Irene (Dolly), and sons Ronnie & John (Jack) Alexander and John's Wife Marjory Mary Young |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3539, Keswick, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Jul 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3539, 10th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1 | |
| 27 Oct 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3539, 10th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
| 29 Feb 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 50th Infantry Battalion | |
| 16 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 13th Machine Gun Company | |
| 20 Apr 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 50th Infantry Battalion | |
| 3 Apr 1917: | Honoured Military Medal, Attack on Noreuil 'At Noreuil on the night of 3rd/4th April 1917 he boldly pushed forward patrol to gain touch with the enemy. His patrol covered extensive area & far reached as far forward as 1700 yards. The information he gained enabled us to advance our whole front line with little opposition.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No.174 Date: 11 October 1917 | |
| 29 Apr 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 50th Infantry Battalion | |
| 19 Jan 1918: | Wounded AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 3539, 50th Infantry Battalion, GSW (back) | |
| 20 Oct 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 3539, 50th Infantry Battalion, Returned to Unit after Sick Leave. Stayed in action until discharged. | |
| 28 Jul 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 3539, 50th Infantry Battalion, Returned to Australia 24th May 1919 per 'Warwickshire' |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Modbury High School
Alexander Dickie Young was a Private and Lance Corporal in World War One. He was in the 10th Battalion, 11th Reinforcement, before transferring to the 50th Infantry Battalion. Young was born on the 30th of April, 1897 in North Adelaide, South Australia. He was of Methodist religion. He lived with his mother, Mrs Agnes Young and brother Thomas Young – who also served. Prior to the war, Young was a moulder.
Alexander Young enlisted on the 27th of July, after his mother sent her consent on the 26th of July. He trained in Egypt, with many other Australian troops. Young fought in the Battle of Courtrai and other battles in France. He was promoted on the 29th of April in 1917 from Private to Lance Corporal. During the war, Young sustained a gunshot wound (GSW) in the back. He returned to his unit many months later.
Young was involved in the battle of Courtrai, which was a French battle between the Germans and the English, French, Belgian and Australian troops.
On the night of April 3rd and 4th, 1917, near Noreuil, Young bravely pushed his patrol forward establish contact with the enemy. His patrol went as far forward as 1700 yards and covered a large region. With little resistance, the Allies were able to move our whole front line thanks to the information he acquired. For his actions he was awarded the Military Medal
On the 24th of May in 1919, Alexander Young returned to Australia. He died on the 23rd of July 1951 and is buried at West Terrace Cemetery.
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