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YOUNG, George Anthony

Sgt. George Anthony Young, RNZAF NZ405771 – Front gunner.
Killed age 21 on the 9th of July 1942.
Son of George Young and of Johan Young Nee Oman), of Palmerston North, Wellington, New Zealand.
Buried Schiermonnikoog (Vredenhof) Cemetery, Holland.     .
Grave location – Grave 84.

08/07/1942 – Attack Against Targets at Wilhemshaven
Thirteen a/c were detailed to attack the above target. Bomb load of 4000lbs, 1000lbs, and 4lb inc was dropped in the target area and hit were believed to be scored. There was heavy predicted flak and searchlights were scattered. No enemy a/c were seen. Weather was good clear over target. Navigation was excellent.

Wellington Mk.III X.3557 AA-X

P/O Trevor Harry Smith, RNZAF NZ41953 – Pilot.
P/O Donald Norman Potts RNZAF NZ412267 2nd Pilot.
P/O Alan Stuart Broun, RNZAF NZ405367 – Observer.
Sgt. Frank Edwin McKenzie, RNZAF NZ391085 – Wireless Operator.
Sgt. George Anthony Young, RNZAF NZ405771 – Front Gunner.
P/O Jack Ralph Gavegan, RNZAF NZ402128 – Rear Gunner.

Wellington Mk.III X.3557 AA-X came down at the northern end of the Waddenzee, near Rottumeroog Is at 01.30hrs. The time of the crash indicates the aircraft was still on the outward bound route to the target and was almost certainly shot down by one of the many German night fighters operating along that part of the Dutch coast. The details contained within German documentation regarding the injuries to the body of George Young certainly seem to support this, describing significant head injuires, assumed to be from a bullet or shell.

All of the crew were killed. Only the bodies of Sgt Young and the Pilot, P/O Trevor Harry Smith were recovered. As mentioned previously, a second body was recovered with Sgt. Young’s – the conjecture by rank of the airman is that this was Frank McKenzie, however a positive I.D. was never able to be made.

Trevor Smith was initially buried in Rottumeroog, but was subsequently moved to and re-interred at Oldebroek General Cemetery. The rest of the crew are remembered on the Air Force Memorial at Runnymede.

nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/george-anthony-young © New Zealand War Graves Project

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YOUNG, Peter Anthony

Sgt. Peter Anthony Young, RAFVR 1162261 – Wireless Operator.
Killed age 28 on the 10th of September 1942.
Son of Henry and Eleanor Bright Young, of Putney, London.
Buried Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, England..
Grave location – Panel 97

10/09/1942 – Operations. Attack Against Targets At Dusseldorf
Thirteen aircraft were detailed to attack the above target. Bomb load of 4,000 lb. and incendiaries were dropped in target area, Wellington X.3747 captained by Sgt. Rousseau and Wellington BJ.837 captained by P/O Jacobson were forced to return to base before reaching target area. owing to aircraft failures. Large fires were seen, a few dummy fires were also seen near target. Light and heavy A.A. fire was encountered, particularly in searchlight cones, which covered a large area. The weather was good, slight haze at target area. Navigation was by D.R. and T.R. Wellington BJ.828 captained by Sergt. Lees, Wellington BJ.968 captained by Sgt. Burrill and Wellington BJ.974 captained by Sergt. Metcalf, failed to return.

Wellington Mk.III BJ.828 AA-?

Sgt. Eric Lees, RAFVR 1132278 – Pilot.
Sgt. Douglas Howard Judd, RNZAF NZ413336 – Observer.
Sgt. Peter Anthony Young, RAFVR 1162261 – Wireless Operator.
Sgt. Charles Norman Anderson, RNZAF 658255 – Front Gunner.
Sgt. Frederick Richard Guppy, RAFVR 1184152 – Rear Gunner.

Wellington Mk.III BJ.828 was lost without trace. All five crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.