William Lawrence Young

Forename(s):
William Lawrence

Surname:
Young

Initial(s):
W L

Service Number:
GS/50344

Rank:
Private

Regiment:
Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), 7th (Extra Reserve) Battalion

Died:
30/12/1917

Buried:
Thiepval Memorial

Service History:
Previously served with the Royal Fusiliers 2nd (29/9/16-12/10/16), 11th (Service) (13/10/16-24/5/17), & 13th (Reserve) Battalions (21/9/17-23/9/17), before joining the 7th (Extra Reserve) Battalion on 24 September, 1917. His whereabouts between 25/5/17 & 20/9/17 are unknown.
(Source: UK, WW1 Service Medal & Award Rolls, 1914-1920, available via Ancestry.co.uk)

Background:
Born about 1881, at Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, son of the late William Young (b. about 1848, also at Newcastle; in 1881 a Chemical & Metal Merchant; in 1891 a Coal Merchant & Ship Owner; d. between the 1891 & 1901 Censuses), by his wife Selina (b. about 1850, at Willington, Northumberland; in 1911, a person of private means), of Aldersyde, Alnwick, Northumberland.

There's no obvious trace of Young on the 1911 Census. In 1901 he was a Bank Clerk.

The UK, Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929 (available via Ancestry.co.uk) records the Grantees for Young's 'Effects', including War Gratuity, as Miss Constance J. (Jane) Young (a younger sister; b. about 1884) & James Arnott. The sum received was £11-16s-5d, including £8-10s War Gratuity.

Young had three older sisters: Ada Katharine (b. about 1875); Florence Elizabeth (b. about 1877); & Lena Mary (b. about 1879).

One of three sons lost - see, also, Captain Arthur Cecil Young (Northumberland Fusiliers, 16th [Service] Battalion [Newcastle]; Died 1 July 1916), & Lieutenant Charles Edward Young (Military Labour Corps; Died 17 December 1918).

Local Memorial:
Alnwick War Memorial Alnwick, St. Michael's Church, Brass Plaque to the 3 brothers