James Young

Story:
James Young was born in 1893 in Fontmell Magna and baptised there on 3rd September 1893. He was the son of Alfred Young, a carter on a farm, and Caroline Young (née Francis). At the time of the 1911 Census James was working as a Farm Labourer and living at 99 Kit Hill, Fontmell Magna. On 12th October 1914 he married Beatrice Ellen Brown in Basingstoke, Hampshire. At the time of his enlistment the family were living at Nod Cottage, Petersfield, Hampshire and he was working as an "Under Carter".

James enlisted in Chichester on 14th February 1916, and joined the 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment as a Private (Service No. G/8752). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British and 15 Star medals. He died on 20th August 1916 and his name appears on the Thiepval Memorial in France (Pier and Face 7C). His widow Beatrice was awarded a pension of 15s (75p.) per week for herself and her son. By 1917 she had moved from Petersfield to 2, St James, Shaftesbury. In 1918 she married Frederick Toogood and they lived in Enmore Green. James is remembered on the war memorials at Motcombe and Enmore Green, Shaftesbury.

His brother, Alfred Young, also served but survived the conflict.

Printed Sources: "Fontmell Magna and the First World War", compiled by Chris Bellers, Fontmell Magna Village Archive Society, 2014.