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YOUNG, Harold Melville

War
1st World War
Date of Birth
Date Attested
Attested at
Goderich, Ontario
Original Unit
Regimental Number
654174
Rank
Private
Date of Death
Age at Death
26 years 8 months
Biographical Summary

DIVISIONAL UNIT:         4th Canadian Infantry Division
                                             10th Infantry Brigade
                                             47th Battalion - West Ontario
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   654174
RESIDENCE:                    Goderich – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            December 4, 1891
                                             Seaforth – Tuckersmith Township – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           August 10, 1918                   26 years     8 months
CEMETERY:                     Fouquescourt British Cemetery – Fouquescourt –
                                             Somme – France
                                             II     C     9
PARENTS:                         Mr. James & Mary Young – Goderich - Ontario
Occupation:                        Machine Hand                      Religion:     Methodist
Enlistment:                         Goderich – January 3, 1916 – 161st Huron battalion
Enlistment Age:                 24 years     1 month

For the upcoming advance the 47th Battalion was directly behind the 44th Battalion. “A & C” Companies were right / left assault; “B & D” Companies were right / left support. The advance began at 10:15 hours.
The Battalion came under heavy enemy artillery fire just after crossing the Avenue des Marmtites and they took some casualties. Further on they encountered heavy enemy machine-gun fire which was coming from an old trench system that was heavily wired and covered in grass.
Approximately 1,000 yards west of Foquescourt the 11th Brigade advance was checked by heavy enemy fire.
“A” Company moved to provide close support and engaged enemy machine-gun nest and posts. They advanced forward by moving around the village and “A” Company plus the 44th Battalion advanced and skirted the village and penetrated to open ground to the east of the village and set up a defensive line.
“C” Company had been heavily engaged with enemy machine-gun nests and posts but were able to leap-frog through the 44th Battalion and they continued the advance until heavy enemy enfilade fire held them up and stopped the advance.
Now, the light was fading and the enemy was still holding out and so the 47th Battalion consolidated Menelars Trench and stayed put for the night.
During this day of fighting the Battalion lost 12 men and had 79 wounded. It was during this fight that it is believed Private Young lost his life in action performing his duties.