David Reginald Younger

Quoting from North East Medals : Born on March 17, 1871, Captain Younger, after serving as an officer of the Duke of Edinburgh's Edinburgh Artillery, commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant into the Gordon Highlanders on December 23, 1893, fighting at Chitral and on the Punjab Frontier, 1895, 1897-8, including the gallant and historic assault and capture of the Dargai Heights, in October, 1897. The medal and three clasps (which can be seen in the photo above) were obtained by him for these trying services in India. But for his sad but heroic death, the Victoria Cross, as stated in the Gazette, would have been his to wear as well. It bas now been delivered to his relatives in accordance with the Regulation approved by H.M. The King in 1902.

Younger was 29 years old, and a captain in the 1st Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders, British Army during the Second Boer War when the deed described below took place near Krugersdorp for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross (posthumously) after he died of injuries received during the Battle of Dwarsvlei on 11 July 1900: The Gordon Highlanders under Major-General Smith-Dorrien were orderd to march from Krugersdorp towards Hekpoot. About 15 km's from Krugersdorp they were encountered by a commando under Vecht-Generaal Oosthuizen who opened fire from mountain ridges above the road. The battle was fierce and it was only after dark that the British managed to extricate their guns, wagons and wounded and limped back to Krugersdorp. The engagement was described by Major-General Smith-Dorrien as their 'most trying fight of the whole war'.

Younger's actions were described"

This Officer, during the action near Krugersdorp, on the 11th July, 1900, volunteered for and took out the party which successfully dragged a Royal Artillery waggon under cover of a small kopje, though exposed to a very heavy and accurate fire at only 850 yards range. He also accompanied the second party of volunteers who went out to try and bring in one of the guns. During the attempt he was mortally wounded, dying shortly afterwards. His cool and gallant conduct was the admiration of all who witnessed it.^[1]