SECOND-LIEUTENANT, THE NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS.

Situated in the Consecrated/West Section of Jesmond Old Cemetery.

David was the youngest of three children to Lindsay Smith Young and Esther Ruth Young. In the 1911 Census, the family were recorded as living at 9 Osborne Avenue, Jesmond, and consisted of Lindsay’s (53) whose occupation was identified as ‘Shipbroker’, Esther (51), their first born son, Gordon Lindsay (21) who was recorded as being a ‘Clerk (Shipbroker)’, their only daughter Ruth Lindsay (19) and David Lindsay (17), who was recorded as being a ‘Clerk (Accountant)’.

David is recorded on his monument as being a Second-Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers, losing his life, aged 24, on the 26th October 1917 at Houthhulst Forest, Flanders. Interestingly, the Index of Wills and Administrations record David as being with the 4th Battalion but attached to the 7th Battalion. Reports surrounding the 26th October 1917 relate to the Second Battle of Passchendaele at Turenne Crossing when, during the night of 24th-25th October, the 50th (Northumbrian) Division were deployed at Ypres-Staden Railway at Turenne Crossing, south of Houthulst Forest and north of the Broembeek, in preparation for the attack the following day. At 05.40am on 26th October the Brigade advanced on a three battalion front, the 7th (presumably including David) on the left, the 5th in the centre and the 4th on the right with the 6th in support, into ground that was little more than a swamp, and defended by German strong points in fortified farms and pill boxes, gaining nothing but heavy casualties, including Second-Lieutenant David Lindsay Young.

David is also commemorated at the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

David’s parents, Esther and Lindsay, are also commemorated on the monument within Jesmond Old Cemetery.