Leonard Henry Youngs

A Private with 1/4th Bn., Leonard died on 16th of September 1916 at the age of 22. 

Leonard was born at Lowestoft in 1894, a son of Henry and Kate Youngs. In 1901 his family lived at 57 Maidstone Road, Lowestoft; by 1911 they were living at 39 Maidstone Road, and Leonard worked as a general labourer. Later his parents lived at 9 Ashley Road, Lowestoft.

Leonard volunteered and enlisted in the Army, at Ipswich, in February 1915. He joined the Suffolk Regiment. He was posted to the 1/4th Battalion and arrived in France in January 1916. In April 1916 he spent 12 days in hospital undergoing dental work. 

We do not know precisely when Leonard was wounded, but, based on the Battalion War Diary, we can infer that he was wounded by shell-fire either on 16 August 1916, at La Panne, or 21 August 1916, near Queensland Camp, west of Oost Dunkerke. He was evacuated to England and died of wounds at Wharncliffe Hospital, Sheffield.

The East Anglian Daily Times, 25 September 1916, page 8, has the following:

MILITARY FUNERAL AT LOWESTOFT

On Saturday, Private Leonard Youngs, of the Suffolks, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Youngs, of Maidstone Road, was buried in the local cemetery, Mr. S. C. Rowe, J.P, the missionary at the Sailors' Bethel, Battery Green Road, officiating.

The young solider, who had been wounded and died in Wharncliffe War Hospital, Sheffield, was given full military honours. A band played the "Dead March" on the way to and from the cemetery. The firing party and buglers, and a contingent of a provisional battalion, also attended, under Captain Williams-Wynn. The coffin, covered with the Union Jack, was conveyed in a transport waggon, and covered with wreaths, of which there were nearly a score. 

The deceased was a member of the Sailors' Bethel Bible Class and a number of the members attended. Inspector William Charlish (Lowestoft Central Station), was present representing the G.E.R. Company (upon which the deceased's father is employed as guard) and the local Railway Mission. Mr. H. J. Goodwin (secretary) represented Court 'Good Intent', A.O.F. Lowestoft, of which the deceased was a member.