YOUNG, James Henry
| Service Number: | 3537 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 12 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 1st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Coonamble, New South Wales, Australia, 1896 |
| Home Town: | Mudgee, Mid-Western Regional, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Mercy Convent School, Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Ironmonger |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 10 May 1916 |
| Cemetery: |
Merville Communal Cemetery, France Plot VI, Row P, Grave 39, Merville Communal Cemetery, Merville, Dunkirk, Nord Pas de Calais, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Coonamble Municipality and Wingadee Shire HR, Coonamble War Memorial, Gulgong and Mudgee District Roll of Honor, Mudgee District Fallen Soldiers Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 12 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3537, 1st Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Oct 1915: | Involvement Private, 3537, 1st Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Themistocles embarkation_ship_number: A32 public_note: '' | |
| 5 Oct 1915: | Embarked Private, 3537, 1st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Themistocles, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
William Ralph Young of Waverly in Sydney NSW had five sons enlist during the Great War. This son died not long after the Gallipoli Campaign ended. 3537 Private James Henry Young 1st Battalion AIF was shot through the head by a sniper in France and died of wounds 10th May 1916, one of the first Australians to die on the Western Front. He was only 20 years of age, born at Coonamble NSW, and resident of Mudgee. He is buried in the Merville Communal Cemetery, France.
A letter to his father was published in the Mudgee Guardian not long after, "Dear Mr. Young, — I regret very much to have to write and tell you that your son, Private J. H. Young, 1st Batt., A.I.F., died early this morning (May 10). He was brought into this hospital with a bullet wound in his head. He never regained consciousness, and passed away about two hours after admission. Everything possible was done for him, but the injuries were too severe for human aid. He will be buried in the cemetery where he will rest with many of his comrades who have fallen in France. With deep sympathy, sincerely yours, ‘N. HAIGH, Sister.’
This soldier had a brother who died of TB in England during January 1918, 6880 Pte Harold Bede Young 17th Battalion AIF. Another brother 4660 Douglas Young 3rd Battalion was disabled and returned to Australia by a gunshot wound to the neck which partly paralysed him. He also had two uncles, his fathers' brothers, killed in action as well as several first cousins who died.
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