Private Joseph Thomas Young, 25th Battalion, AIF
Australian War MemorialJoseph Young, known as “Joe”, was born in 1897, the eldest child in the large family of Tom and Jessie Young. His father had come to Australia from England as a young man, and settled near his Australian-born wife’s family on Chatsworth Island.
Joe was born at Mororo, and went on to work as a farm labourer in the local sugar cane industry. Described as “a fine stamp of Australia’s young men”, he was a keen participant in local football, foot racing, and rowing.
Young enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in February 1915, and left for active service with the 25th Battalion in June 1915. He trained in Egypt before reaching Gallipoli in September.
He was there just a few weeks before falling ill with dysentery. He was eventually sent to England to recover. He returned after 10 months, by which time his Battalion was fighting on the Western Front in France.
A month later, Young was again evacuated with illness, rejoining his unit in France in February 1917. On 29 September 1917, the 25th Battalion formed part of the first wave of the attack at the Battle of Menin Road. The attack was successful, and was followed up with the capture of Broodseinde Ridge early the following month.
On 1 November 1917, the 25th Battalion relieved the 26th at the front line on Broodseinde Ridge. The enemy responded with gas bombardments. The men were relieved within 24 hours 90 per cent suffering from the effects of gas.
By 3 November, Private Young reported sick as a result of the gas bombardment. He was sent to hospital in England to recover for three months. He rejoined his battalion for the last time in February 1918.
On 10 June 1918, the 25th participated in the Third Battle of Morlancourt. Leaving their trench, they came under heavy enemy fire, causing nearly 200 casualties.
One of them was Private Joseph Young.
A wounded sergeant saw his body lying near the road. He had been killed by shell-fire. In the confusion of battle, his body was later lost. Today he is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux. He was 21 years old.
Joseph Young’s mother was pregnant with her eleventh child at the time. On 29 July 1918, a son was born at Maclean. He was named Joseph Thomas Young, or “Young Joe”, in honour of his lost brother.
Young Joe followed his namesake into battle during the Second World War, fighting against the Japanese in the Pacific.
In 1942, Corporal Joseph Thomas Young of the 55/53rd Battalion was killed in action at Sanananda in Papua New Guinea. His remains are reinterred in the Bomana War Cemetery at Port Moresby. He was 24 years old.
Their younger brother, Sidney, also served during the war, returning to Australia in late 1945.
Meleah Hampton, Historian, Military History Section
