In Belford (St. Mary) Churchyard is the Commonwealth War Grave with a private headstone of K/40302 Stoker 2nd Class George William Young, serving on H.M.S. Victory II with the Royal Navy who died 18/02/1917.
The headstone reads:-
In loving memory
of
James Young
who died at Belford Sept. 20 1916
Aged 73 years
George William
son of the above died Dec. 18 1917
Aged 37 years
Mary Ann Young
Wife of the above James Young
Died Jan. 6 1924
Aged 72 years
John Laing Young
Son of the above died March ?? 1958
Aged 73 years
Elizabeth Cook
Wife of the above John L. Young
Died July 23rd 1958 aged 71 years
Rev. David Youngson has submitted the following:
K/40302 Stoker 2nd Class George William YOUNG
Royal Navy
HMS Victory II
He was the son of James and Mary Ann Young. He was born at Newcastle upon Tyne. A Grocer’s Assistant residing at Belford, Northumberland he was Initiated into 393 St David’s Lodge, Freemasons Hall Parade, Berwick upon Tweed on the 2nd July 1912; Passed 6th August 1912 and was Raised on the 2nd September 1912.
He was the husband of Margaret Young of North Hazlerigg, Chatton, Northumberland.
He died on the 18th February 1917 aged 37 and is buried in North East Part of Belford (St Mary) Churchyard, Northumberland.
HMS Victory II was the Crystal Palace/Sydenham Training Depot from 1914 1919.
David Thompson has submitted the following:-
George William Young was born at Newcastle upon Tyne, the son of James Young (born about 1843; at Yetholm, Roxburghshire, Scotland; in 1881, a Sailor at Sea, a Farm Steward in 1910, a Shepherd in 1911) and his wife, Mary Ann (b. about 1853).
Two siblings recorded on the 1911 Census: Elizabeth Laing (born about 1883; a Schoolteacher); and James (born about 1888; a Grocer’s Assistant). Both were also born at Newcastle.
Resident at Belford. In 1911 the family lived in six rooms at Blue Bell Farm, Belford.
On 2 July 1912, Young was initiated into 393 St. David’s Lodge, Freemasons’ Hall Parade, Berwick upon Tweed; Passed on 6 August; Raised on 2 September 1912.
Pre-enlistment occupation: Grocer’s Assistant.
Husband of Margaret Young, of North Hazelrigg, Chatton, Northumberland, to whom Probate was granted at London on 19 May 1917, for ‘Effects’ valued at £374 3s 4d.
Service dated from 25 January 1917.
HMS Victory II was a Training Depot for the Royal Naval Division between 1914-1919. It was based at Crystal Palace / Sydenham, London.
Young died at the Sick Bay, Hospital, Naval Barracks, Portsmouth. Cause of death: Pneumonia.
The Berwickshire News and General Advertiser 27/02/1917 reports:
DEATH BERWICK JOURNAL’S BELFORD CORRESUONDENT.
We are sorry to record the death on Sunday of Mr George W Young, Belford, who has acted for several years as Correspondent for that district for Berwick Journal and North Northumberland News. The sad event occurred at Naval Barracks Hospital at Portsmouth on Sunday. Mr Young had only been in the Navy for 4 weeks and the sudden end of a promising career to regretted. Mr Young died of pneumonia. He was well-known and much respected in Belford and district.
He was traveller for Laing, grocer, etc, Belford for a long number of years and took keen practical interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the village. He was Secretary of the local Lodge of Oddfellows, and a Freemason and an enthusiastic worker the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Society in connection with Belford E.P. Church. Much sympathy is expressed for his relatives.
His story has been researched by the Belford Museum.
George William Young is remembered at Belford on B16.01, B16.02, B16.05 and B16.07, at Berwick upon Tweed on B25.20, in the Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-18 (London) and in our List of Ships’ Crews.
