A Contembile Leamingtonian!
Private Horace Young Royal Warwickshire Regiment
1914 Stasr clasp 'Aug-Nov' (missing). 1914-18 British War Medal (missing). Victory Medal.
The Man Horace Young was born during the third quarter of 1893 in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, son of John Samuel, a Carpenter and Emily nee Hawtin. He was one of nine children, Samuel Harold born in 1880, John 1882, Archibald John (1883–1933), Arthur 1885, Frank G 1890, Amy Emily 1893, Hilda 1896, Louisa 1903.
The 1901 census shows the family living at 35 Queen Street, Leamington Spa. Sadly, Horace’s mother, Emily died during the first quarter of 1907, aged 43, leaving John to bring up the nine children, he re-married some months later during the final quarter of the same year to Ada Anne Ward in Leamington.
After his education, Horace became a Builder’s Labourer and on 4th February 1911, aged 17 enlisted into Royal Warwickshire Regiment, as a Private with service number 1769 and the 1911 census shows him based at Whittington Barracks, Staffordshire. Horace’s father was living with Ada, Arthur, Amy, Hilda and Louisa at 7 Rosefield Street, Leamington, he too tragically passing away in 1913 aged 56.
Following the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, Horace, with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Division and as part of the British Expeditionary Force, was sent to the Western Front, landing on 4th October 1914 at Zebrugge. The Kaiser, who was famously dismissive of the BEF, allegedly issued an order on 19 August 1914 to "exterminate ... the treacherous English and walk over General French's contemptible little army". Hence, in later years, the survivors of the regular army dubbed themselves "The Old Contemptibles".
Horace’s war was not to last long, he was injured severely early in the 1st Battle of Ypres (19th October 22nd November) and died of wounds at the military hospital in Rouen on 8th November 1914, aged 21. By the end of 1914, after the battles of Mons, Le Cateau, the Aisne and Ypres, the old regular British Army had suffered massive casualties and lost most of its fighting strength but had managed to help stop the German advance.
Horace was buried at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France and posthumously awarded the 1914 Star with ‘Aug-Nov’ clasp, 1914-18 British War and Victory Medals. His name was also remembered on the Royal Leamington Spa War Memorial, unveiled in 1922.
The 1901 census shows the family living at 35 Queen Street, Leamington Spa. Sadly, Horace’s mother, Emily died during the first quarter of 1907, aged 43, leaving John to bring up the nine children, he re-married some months later during the final quarter of the same year to Ada Anne Ward in Leamington.
After his education, Horace became a Builder’s Labourer and on 4th February 1911, aged 17 enlisted into Royal Warwickshire Regiment, as a Private with service number 1769 and the 1911 census shows him based at Whittington Barracks, Staffordshire. Horace’s father was living with Ada, Arthur, Amy, Hilda and Louisa at 7 Rosefield Street, Leamington, he too tragically passing away in 1913 aged 56.
Following the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, Horace, with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Division and as part of the British Expeditionary Force, was sent to the Western Front, landing on 4th October 1914 at Zebrugge. The Kaiser, who was famously dismissive of the BEF, allegedly issued an order on 19 August 1914 to "exterminate ... the treacherous English and walk over General French's contemptible little army". Hence, in later years, the survivors of the regular army dubbed themselves "The Old Contemptibles".
Horace’s war was not to last long, he was injured severely early in the 1st Battle of Ypres (19th October 22nd November) and died of wounds at the military hospital in Rouen on 8th November 1914, aged 21. By the end of 1914, after the battles of Mons, Le Cateau, the Aisne and Ypres, the old regular British Army had suffered massive casualties and lost most of its fighting strength but had managed to help stop the German advance.
Horace was buried at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France and posthumously awarded the 1914 Star with ‘Aug-Nov’ clasp, 1914-18 British War and Victory Medals. His name was also remembered on the Royal Leamington Spa War Memorial, unveiled in 1922.
The Story The single Victory Medal awarded to Horace Young was acquired from -Bay on 11th May 2024 and of immediate interest as Horace was not only a Leamington Spa man, but also had died during World War I.
Initial checks revealed that his name appeared on the Leamington War Memorial and a message sent to the seller asking if they had a ‘buy it now’ price. The seller responded positively and the medal was acquired.
Ancestry and Commonwealth War Graves were cross referenced, confirming Horace had died and enabling a brief biography to be completed.
Another Leamington casualty is now remembered for posterity.
Initial checks revealed that his name appeared on the Leamington War Memorial and a message sent to the seller asking if they had a ‘buy it now’ price. The seller responded positively and the medal was acquired.
Ancestry and Commonwealth War Graves were cross referenced, confirming Horace had died and enabling a brief biography to be completed.
Another Leamington casualty is now remembered for posterity.
|
Queen Street, Leamington Spa 1910s and 2021
Rosefield Street, Leamington Spa. No 7 demolished. 2024
|
|
|
|
|
Royal Leamington Spa War Memorial
Horace Young's Commonwealth War Grave. St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.
Medal Details
- 1914 Star: Missing
- 1914-18 British War Medal: Missing
- Victory Medal: 1769 PTE.H.YOUNG. R.WAR.R.
Page last updated 15 May 24
37
