Pte 16853 George Norman Young

• Age: 22
• From: Southampton
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 25th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Cherisy Rd East Cem, Heninel
  Panel Ref: 27

George Norman Young was born in the March quarter of 1895 at Oak Dean, Bitterne Park, Southampton the son of George Young and his wife Ada (nee Hughes).

His father was from Dundee, and mother from Birkenhead.  They married in Toxteth Park, Liverpool in 1886 and had four children.  After Ada was born in 1890, and Myra in 1892, they moved from Liverpool to Southampton, where Norman was born, and James Spence in 1901. His father was a mariner. He had deserted as Second Mate in Adelaide in 1881 (his merchant navy papers make a reference to sobriety) but by October was back in service. He earned his First Mate certificate in 1885 and became a Master Mariner in 1887. 

At the time of the 1901 census the family are living in “Oakden” Whitworth Road, Portswood, Hampshire, a suburb of Southampton. His mother, aged 42, has four children at home; his father is away at sea.  Norman (sic) is 6. Also in the household is his aunt Sarah Hughes, 40. 

By 1911 they have moved back to Liverpool and are found at 29 Arkles Road, Anfield, with four children at home.  His father, a Master Mariner, is 55, his mother is 53, Ada, 21, and Myra, 19, are both students in teacher training, Norman is 17, an insurance clerk, and James is 10, at school.   

Before enlisting, he was employed by the Royal Liver Friendly Society Insurance company. 

He enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 04th September 1914 joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 16853, giving his age as 19 years and 270 days and his occupation as clerk. He is described as being 5’ 4 and three quarter inches tall, weighing 113 lbs, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes, and fair hair.  He gives as next of kin his father George at 295 Walton Breck Road, and his religion as Church of England.  He served in No.3 Company.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.  

Whilst training at Knowsley, on 06th March 1915, he was confined to barracks for “missing…? and giving false name to an officer”. 

During training at Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain, on 05th October 1915, he was 70 hours late from leave. He was confined to barracks for 14 days and forfeited 3 days’ pay.   

A notation on his conduct sheet, undated, states, “forfeits trench/French(?) leave”. 

He arrived in France with his Battalion on 07th November 1915. Whilst in France, he was attached to 3rd Army School of Mortars on 04th January 1916 and joined the 21st Light Trench Mortar Battery on the 10th January. He was sent to No.44 Field Ambulance with scabies on 03rd February 1917, admitted to No.7 F.A. and resumed duty with T.M.B. on the 10th.

Norman was killed in action on 25th April 1917, aged 22. He is buried alongside Lieutenant Lawrence Band also of The King's Liverpool Regiment. 

He now rests at Cherisy Road East Cemetery, Heninel, France. The epitaph on his headstone reads:

"GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS".

The fact that his headstone is shared means that there was not room for a Cross. 

The village of Heninel was captured in a snowstorm on 12 April 1917 by the 56th (London) and 21st Division.  Cherisy Road East Cemetery was made by the 30th and 33rd Division Burial Officers in April 1917. The cemetery contains 82 First World War burials, 19 of which are unidentified.  Of the 63 identified, 19 are Liverpool Pals, all of whom died between 14th and 28th April 1917.

His parents placed a notice in the Liverpool Echo on 8th May 1917:

YOUNG-- April 25, killed in action, aged 22 years, Private George Norman Young, K.L.R., the dearly-loved elder son of George and Ada Young, 295, Walton Breck Road, Anfield. "Greater love hath no man than this"     

On the first anniversary of his death in 1918 his comrades paid tribute:

“In loving memory of Norman (Sandy) Young (Pals), killed in action April 25, 1917. (Sadly missed by Harry, Dav., and Frank.)” 

Norman earned his three medals which his father signed for. 

In 1919 his father provided information on Norman’s living relatives:  His parents were still at 295 Walton Breck Road with Ada, 27, Myra, 25, and James, 18. The affidavit was witnessed by a Wesleyan minister.  

In April 1921 his father wrote to Infantry Records acknowledging receipt of the Memorial Scroll, and requesting to know when the Plaque will be sent.  He was informed by return that “as there are some tens of thousands of these Memorials required, some time may elapse before they are all ready for issue.” 

In late September 1939 his parents and sister Ada are still living in Walton Breck Road, now at no.285.  His father is 83, retired, his mother is 81, incapacitated, and his sister is 49, an elementary school teacher.  

His parents suffered further loss when Ada died just weeks later, in November 1939, aged 49. 

His parents lived through the Second World War.  His father died in 1946, aged 90.  His mother lived to the age of 92 and died in 1951.  

Norman is commemorated on the following memorials - 

Royal Liver Friendly Society Employees WW1 Memorial

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 31.

We currently have no further information on George Norman Young, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.