Memorial

Stained Glass Window Young V.C. 1918 Gibson Court Medical Centre

Boldon Colliery

Memorial Name: Stained Glass Window Young V.C. 1918 Gibson Court Medical Centre (B148.04)

NEWMP Ref No.: B148.04

Parish: Boldon Colliery

Original Location:

Gibson Court Medical Centre

Which War:

1914-18

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

Unveiled March 28th 2004

Materials Used:

Stained glass / lead / chrome / paint.

Who Commissioned:

Thomas Young Memorial Fund. Chairman, Martin Walsh.

Sculptor, Artist or Designer:

Maralyn O’Keefe.

Inscription:

Top :
The
Durham Light
Infantry
1758
1968

Left side :
Regt. No. 9-1975
Private Young
Thomas Morrell
Boldon Colliery

Right side :
Hewer
Saved 9 men at Bucquoy, France
under heavy fire, March 1918

Bottom:
Thomas Young V.C.
1895-1966

Memorial Description:

Stained glass panel 42 inches high x 24 inches wide (106cms x 61cms).

There is a yellow border containing (top) the regiments, (bottom) the names and dates of Thomas Young and (sides) some facts, plus a depiction of a miner’s lamp.

The centre panel is comprised of a spray of poppies and corn with the Victoria Cross at top left and Durham Light Infantry badge at bottom right.

At the centre is a photo of Thomas Young inset within an oval frame.

Names:

See above

Notes:

1. Below the panel are the following details:
THOMAS YOUNG VC (medal) Thomas Young was born Thomas Morrell in Boldon Colliery on the 28th January 1895. His father was killed in a pit accident. His mother married a man named Young, they moved to High Spen. He joined the 9th DLI in Gateshead August 1914 aged 19 using his stepfather’s name, he served in France 1915 was wounded in 1916 returning to England for convalescence. He returned to France 1917 serving as a stretcher bearer. In March 1918 at Bucquoy near Arras he saved the lives of nine wounded men from no-man’s land on the battlefield whilst under heavy fire with no regard for his own safety and carried them to the field hospital . He was presented with the Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace in June 1918 less than three months after his deeds.

2. His father did not die in a pit accident, he was a coach trimmer and died suddenly in 1896.

3. See Thomas Young’s Every Name A Story entry

External Links:

A website on Thomas Young

Sources:

Photos: C. Sanders

The Journal
29/03/2004 reports unveiling.

Durham Town and Country
Issue 54 Spring 2006 tells his story along with other winners of the V.C.

The Complete Victoria Cross – A full chronological record of all holders of Britain’s highest award for Gallantry Kevin Brazier; Pen and Sword Books; 2010; ISBN 1 84884150 7 page 263