YOUNG, Samuel (1877-1948)
Born on 3 March 1877, Samuel Young was the fourth of ten children of Samuel Young and Margaret nee Calhoun.
He was educated at Geelong College, enrolling in 1891 and becoming Dux in his final year, 1892. He was also a member of both the 1st Football Team and 1st Cricket XI in 1893. His address at enrolment was the Culloden Castle Hotel, La Trobe Terrace. He then studied Law at the University of Melbourne. In 1911 he married Isabella Catherine McDonald, daughter of Donald and Isabella McDonald; their son, Leo was born at Geelong in 1914.
Samuel Young was working as a solicitor in Beaufort, aged 39, when he enlisted (No 6379) in 8 Battalion on 22 January 1916 and embarked on HMAT A32 Themistocles on 28 July 1916. He served in France from December 1916 until June 1918, and was promoted 2nd Lieutenant in June 1917. Young was wounded at Polygon Wood on 20 September 1917. He was further promoted to Lieutenant in January 1918, serving through the campaigns at the end of the war. 8 Battalion's battle honours were Somme 1916, Somme 1918, Pozieres, Bullecourt, Ypres 1917, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcapelle, Passchendaele, Lys, Hazebrouck, Amiens, Albert 1918, Hindenburg Line, Epehy, and France and Flanders 1916-1918.
Young embarked for Australia on 2 March 1919, and was demobilised on 31 May.
Pegasus reported his death of 12 March 1948 in June 1948: 'Samuel Young, whose death occurred on March 12, was born at Geelong and attended the College from 1891 to 1893, being a member of the senior cricket and football teams. He entered the legal profession and was a barrister and solicitor in Beaufort, Victoria. In the first World War he was an officer in the 8th Battalion, AIF. He was a councillor of the Shire of Ripon, and took a leading part in returned servicemen's activities and other patriotic and charitable work.'
His son, Air Mechanic 2nd Class Leo Young (1914-1941), who was also educated at Geelong College, served (No 1281411) in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War. He died on active service on 22 November 1941, aged 27. He is buried in Winsley (St Nicholas) Churchyard, Wiltshire Grave 166.
His brother, William Dennis Young (1884-1948), was also educated at Geelong College.
Sources: Pegasus June 1948 p45; Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck. pp 342-343 (citing The University of Melbourne: Record of Active Service of Teachers, Graduates, Undergraduates, Officers and Servants (1926); Commonwealth War Graves Commission; The Pegasus; National Archives).