David Coley Young was killed in action on this day in 1915
Born 5 December 1869, Bombay (Mumbai), David was the only son of the later Colonel David Butler Young of the Bombay Staff Corp and Mary Young (née Cronyn) from Ireland.
He was educated at Sedbergh School where he competed in and won the three mile and ten mile runs.
David Young passed into the RMC, Sandhurst in 1888 before joining the Durham Light Infantry in 1889. In 1892, he transferred to the Indian Staff Corps, joining the Gurkha rifles as a Lieutenant where he served with them on the Waziristan Expedition 1894-5.
He became a Captain in 1900 and then served in operations in China, from 1901 to 1902 serving as ADC to the Commander in Chief in China.
On 20 October 1902, age 32, he married 31 year old Sara Jane ‘Susie’ (née McMullin, widow of Bertran Ragsdale, US Vice-Consul in Tientsin) in Tientsin,, China. They had two sons - David Bernard Kennedy Young born 22 May 1905 and Arthur Stephen Whitehall Young born 16 October 1906.
On the occasion of the fire at the arsenal at Ferozepore on 30 August 1906, he showed great control and was awarded the Albert Medal.
As a Major from 1907, he served in Simla and that year passed his French Interpreter exam. He was an excellent linguist, sportsman, especially polo, cricket, football, tennis and billiards, and musician.
When war broke out, he was on leave in England and joined the Scottish Rifles on 23rd August. Two months later, he went to France and was attached to the 2/3th Gurkhas with whom he served until his own regiment arrived from India.
He was home on leave for a short time in February 1915 before returning to the front in March.
On 12 March 1915, age 45, he was killed going to the aid of a wounded junior officer.
He was gazetted to Lieutenant-Colonel after his death and mentioned in despatches by Sir John French 31 May 1915 for his ‘gallant and courageous’ behaviour.
He was buried in Rue-des-Berceaux Military Cemetery and is remembered on the Sedbergh School Cloisters Memorial.
Major David Coley Young, CO 1st Bn 4th Gurkha Rifles