Alexander Young
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- For the Saskatoon mayor, see Alexander MacGillvray Young
Alexander Young (born Ballinamana, Clarinbridge, County Galway, 27 January 1873—19 October 1916) was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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[edit] Details
A native of Oranmore, Co. Galway. He was 28 years old, and a sergeant-major in the Cape Police, South African Forces during the South African War (Boer War) when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 13 August 1901 at Ruiterskraal, South Africa, towards the close of the action, Sergeant-Major Young, with a handful of men, rushed some kopjes which were being held by about 20 Boers. On reaching their objective, the enemy were seen galloping back to another kopje held by the Boers. Sergeant-Major Young then galloped on some 50 yards ahead of his party and closing with the enemy, shot one of them and captured the commandant, the latter firing three times at point-blank range before being taken prisoner.
He was killed in action, Somme, France, on 19 October 1916. His name is included on a list of war dead in St. Nicholas's church, Galway.
[edit] Further information
Served with the South African Scottish Regiment in the First World War. He died during the Battle of the Somme on 19 October 1916.
Also considered South African. He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant.
[edit] The medal
Please update if you know where his medal is publicly displayed.
[edit] References
Listed in order of publication year
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
- The Irish Sword (Brian Clarke 1986)
- Irelands VCs ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
