Alfred Youngs

A Private with 6th Bn., Alfred died on 17th of February 1917 at the age of 27.

Alfred was born at Lowestoft on 13 June 1889, a son of Alfred and Sarah Ann Youngs. In 1891 his family lived at 32 Bevan Street, Lowestoft. By 1897 they were living at 39 Clemence Street. Alfred attended the Wesleyan School until 30 August 1897 when he became a pupil at Saint John's School. In 1901 they were still living at 39 Clemence Street, but, by 1911, they had moved to 16 Avondale Road and Alfred was a labourer at the fish market. Later his parents lived at 38 Kirkley Run, South Lowestoft.

Alfred enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Bedfordshire Regiment, number 26391, and served with the 8th Battalion in France. He was then transferred to the Northamptonshire Regiment, number 43293, and posted to the 6th Battalion.  

On 17 February 1917 the 6th Battalion began an attack to capture Grandcourt Trench and Boom Ravine, to the eats of Grandcourt in the Somme region. During this attack the Battalion lost 5 officers and 103 other ranks, including Alfred, killed.

For fuller accounts of the battle see: northamptonshire regiment 6th battalion - Soldiers and their units - The Great War (1914-1918) Forum (greatwarforum.org)

In 1919 Alfred's body was found at map reference 57.D. R.22. He was then reburied at the nearby Regina Trench Cemetery.