Second of three brothers killed in action

An ex-Stirling soldier at first rejected by the Army on grounds of height was reported killed in action 100 years ago this week.

Gunner John Young, who died on November 2, 1916, was the third son of Mr and Mrs James Young, 17 Linden Avenue, Stirling.

John, 22 and unmarried, was their second son to die in the fighting. Younger brother David succumbed to wounds on May 9, 1916.

Both brothers were formerly railway workers employed at Stirling Station, and John was described as having a cheery and obliging disposition.

Three years earlier, John emigrated to Western Australia and took up farm work with an uncle, but when war broke out he was one of the first to offer his services.

“In the matter of height, he was below the then military requirements of the Colonial Forces and not accepted at the time,” said the Observer.

“He was, however, not to be denied the opportunity of doing what he considered to be his duty and he ultimately enlisted in the Australian Artillery about 18 months ago.”

John’s battery headed to France via Egypt and in his last letter home he mentioned he was suffering from a slight injury but urged his family not to worry.

One of John’s comrades, writing to his parents, said he was in a gun pit when he was struck by a splinter from an enemy shell which exploded there, and killed instantly.

Lt Audley Parker, also in a letter, said John had over the past few months been acting as his batman and in that time he had the opportunity of discovering his “sterling worth”.

He mourned the loss of a good soldier and friend who was a favourite in the battery, and there were many appreciative remarks from those who gathered at his graveside for the burial service.

In Allan Park Church, minister Rev AM Johnson made a touching reference to John, who was a member of his Bible class before going to Australia.