John Young

John Young was born in Durham, England around 1892 and served in the Territorials before he came to Australia.

John enlisted twice: At his first enlistment (Service No 677) John was single, 22 years old, worked as a labourer and was living at Mount Ousley N.S.W. 

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A35 Berrima with G Company, Naval and Military Tropical Force on 19th August 1914.  He served in Rabaul and returned to Australia for discharge on 4th March 1915.

On 29th April 1915 John enlisted in the AIF (Service No 1610) and embarked from Sydney on HMAT A32 Themistocles with 1st Reinforcements, 17th Battalion, on 12th May 1915.

After arriving in Egypt he was landed on Gallipoli on 13th August and served until the evacuation.  On 15th December 1915 he was admitted to hospital on Gallipoli and evacuated for treatment of frostbite to his feet.  He returned to his unit in Egypt on 19th January 1916.

The battalion was sent on to France, arriving on 23rd March 1916, and John saw service on the Western Front.

On 1st November 1916 he was promoted to Lance Corporal, on 1st December to Corproal and on 26th July 1917 to Sergeant.

In July 1917 John was attached to the training battalion in England and returned to his unit in France on 11th September 1918.

He returned to Australia in April 1919 and was discharged on 30th July 1919.

On 30th Ocober 1919 John was awarded a Mention in Despatches Award for conspicuous serviced rendered.

John died in Wollongong in 1931.