Thomas Young (VC)

Thomas was from High Spen in what is now the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead. He was 23 years old, and a private in the 9th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

During the period 25/31 March 1918 at Bucquoy, France, Private Young, a stretcher-bearer, worked unceasingly evacuating the wounded from seemingly impossible places. On nine occasions he went out in front of British lines in broad daylight, under heavy rifle, machine-gun and shell fire and brought back wounded to safety. Those too badly wounded to be moved before dressing, he dressed under fire and then carried them back unaided. He saved nine lives in this manner.[1]

A memorial to Thomas Young and William Dobson another VC recipient from High Spen was unveiled in July 2007 and can be seen in the grounds of High Spen primary school.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Durham Light Infantry Museum & Durham Art Gallery in Durham City, UK.

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• VCs of the First World War - Spring Offensive 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 1997)

• Location of grave and VC medal (Co. Durham)
• History of High Spen, where Young lived
• Memorial to two village heroes at High Spen Primary School