George Young

The 130th Field Company were part of the 25th Division. George was Killed in Action on the opening day of the Battle of the Aisne (3rd Battle), 27th May - 6th June 1918 : A small and tired British force, sent to the Chemin des Dames in exchange for fresh French divisions that went north, was struck and virtually destroyed as part of another German offensive, Operation Bluecher. The German attack succeeded in pushing the Allies across the Aisne and down as far as the Marne at Chateau Thierry, capturing the towns of Soissons and La Fere-en-Tardenois as they did so. The Battle : The Division entrained at Rexpoede on the 9th May and undertook a long journey to Fismes, 20 miles SE of Soissons in the Champagne. It was the last of four British Divisions making up IX Corps to arrive in the area, under a plan to relieve fresh French Divisions for the north. The front line on the Chemin des Dames and south of the Aisne had been very quiet since spring 1917 and it was expected that the tired Divisions could recuperate there. On the 26th May, intelligence confirmed a heavy German attack could be expected. 25th Division was in reserve and ordered up into a closer support position. At 1am on the 27th May 1918, a heavy German bombardment with gas and high explosive hit the entire area between the front line beyond the Chemin and Fismes itself. The infantry began to attack three hours later. The 25th Division was instructed to hold the second line of defence, except for the poor 8th Border which was sent off to hold the Aisne bridges at Pontavert and Concevreux. By 10am, all three Brigades had come under orders of the 21st, 8th and 50th Divisions respectively, which by now were fighting for their lives north of the river. By mid-day the Germans had broken through and crossed the Aisne: the units of the 25th Division were thrown piecemeal into action. They were all but destroyed. The 11th Lancashire Fusiliers, holding high ground north of the Vesle, held out to the last man. The remnants of many units were temporarily joined into composite units, fighting a withdrawal as the enemy pressed on many miles across the River Marne. Casualties between the 26th May and the 14th June amounted to 4338 Officers and men, of whom 2511 were missing. George is also remembered on the Trinity Parish Church Roll of Honour and at the Family Plot in Old Monkland Cemetery (see photos). See photos for George's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Soissons Memorial Panel List, his name on the Soissons Memorial, George's Pension Records x 2 and the Royal Engineers Cap Badge.