The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (1024) Private Joseph Thomas Young, 25th Battalion, AIF, First World War and (N46468) Corporal Joseph Thomas Young, 55/53rd Battalion, Second World War.

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Craig Berelle, the story for this day was on (1024) Private Joseph Thomas Young, 25th Battalion, AIF, First World War and (N46468) Corporal Joseph Thomas Young, 55/53rd Battalion, Second World War.

1024 Private Joseph Thomas Young, 25th Battalion, AIF
KIA 10 June 1918

N46468 Corporal Joseph Thomas Young, 55/53rd Battalion
KIA 7 December 1942

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Joseph Thomas Young and his brother, Corporal Joseph Thomas Young.

Joseph Young, known as “Joe”, was born in 1897, the eldest child in the large family of Tom and Jessie Young. His father had come to Australia from England as a young man, and settled near his Australian-born wife’s family on Chatsworth Island. Joe was born during the brief period the family spent living at Mororo. Joe attended local public school, and went on to work as a farm labourer, particularly in the sugar cane industry. He was described as “a fine stamp of Australia’s young men”, and was a keen participant in local football, foot racing, and rowing.

Joseph Young enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in February 1915, putting his age up by nearly a year to do so. He underwent a period of training in Australia before leaving for active service overseas with the newly-raised 25th Battalion in June 1915. He continued training in Egypt before reaching Gallipoli in September.

Private Young was on Gallipoli for just a few weeks before falling ill with dysentery. Despite being evacuated to Mudros, his condition worsened and he was eventually sent to hospital in England to recover. After almost 10 months, Joe Young was well enough to return to his battalion, which by this time was fighting on the battlefields of the Western Front in France.

About a month after reaching the front, Young was evacuated with illness. He spent the second half of 1916 being treated at various hospitals, and then rejoined his unit in France in February 1917. The 25th Battalion spent most of the first half of this year rotating in and out of the front line, although it did not carry out a major offensive role until later in the year.

On 29 September 1917, the 25th Battalion formed part of the first wave of the attack at the Battle of Menin Road. The attack was successful, and was followed up with the capture of Broodseinde Ridge early the following month.

On 1 November 1917, the 25th Battalion re-entered the front line on Broodseinde Ridge, relieving the 26th Battalion. As they were moving forward, the men came under an enemy bombardment which included gas shells. Gas bombardments continued throughout the day, and the slight wind did little to remove pools of gas in valleys and low lying places. The men were relieved within 24 hours. Exhausted, they made their way to billets, with a reported 90 per cent suffering from the effects of gas; at least half having lost their voice and with watering eyes.

By 3 November, Private Young could stand no more and reported sick as a result of the gas bombardment. He was sent to hospital in England to recover, taking more than three months to do so. He rejoined his battalion for the last time in February 1918.

On 10 June 1918, the 25th Battalion participated in the Third Battle of Morlancourt. As they left their trench the men came under heavy fire from the enemy, causing nearly 200 casualties among the attacking troops. One of those that did not return was Private Joseph Young. A wounded sergeant coming out of the battle saw his body lying near the road. He had been killed by shell-fire. In the confusion of battle, his body was later lost and today he is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.

Joseph Young’s mother was pregnant with her eleventh child when her eldest was killed. On 29 July 1918 a son was born at Maclean. He was named Joseph Thomas Young in honour of his brother and would come to be known as “Young Joe”.

Young Joe grew up on Chatsworth Island on the Clarence River and attended Chatsworth Island Public School, and later Maclean High School. Away from school, he spent time around the Clarence River where he especially enjoyed swimming and rowing.

When he was able, Young moved to Sydney seeking greater opportunities. By the time the Second World War began he was living in Newtown and was working as a labourer in a foundry. He had also met and begun a relationship with Violet McGavin, a machinist from Annandale. On 26 April 1941they were married at St Stephen’s Church in Newtown.

Young enlisted for service with the militia at Marrickville on 5 January 1940, joining the 55th/53rd Battalion. Mobilised for service in New Guinea, the battalion embarked from Sydney on 28 December 1941 and disembarked at Port Moresby on 3 January 1942.

Young saw combat for the first time during the Kokoda campaign, which lasted from July to October 1942. During the arduous campaign Young was promoted to corporal. The 55/53rd Battalion spent some time resting and re-fitting after Kokoda and it was not until December that the battalion was again ready for action.

On 5 December the 55th/53rd Battalion was flown from Port Moresby to Popondetta and Dobodura. The battalion marched to the Sanananda Track where, along with the 49th Battalion, they relieved the 16th Brigade on 6 December.

The next day the 55th/53rd and 49th Battalions commenced their attack on the Japanese at Sanananda. The battle was fierce and the Australians were unable to break through the Japanese positions. Both Australian battalions suffered heavy casualties with the 49th suffering 229 men (more than half of its fighting strength) killed, wounded, and missing. The 55th/53rd suffered 130 men killed, wounded, and missing. Among the dead was Joseph Young.

Young was initially buried near where he was killed, but his remains were later reinterred in the Bomana War Cemetery at Port Moresby. He was 24 years old.

His younger brother, Sidney, also served during the war, returning to Australia in late 1945.

The elder Joseph Young’s name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among almost 62,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War.

Young Joe’s name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, among almost 40,000 Australians who died while serving in the Second World War.

This is but one of the many family stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Private Joseph Thomas Young and Corporal Joseph Thomas Young, who gave their lives for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section
&
Michael Kelly
Historian, Military History Section