The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. R B M Young

Robert Bett Mirk Young was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand on 1st August 1918, the son of John Carville Young and Emma Harriet Young.

After finishing school he worked as a bank clerk.

Young volunteered for aircrew duties after the outbreak of war and reported to the Ground Training School at Weraroa on 15th January 1940. Young moved on to the Air Observers School, Ohakea in February for a gunnery course. He sailed for the UK on 23rd March in the SS Akaroa.

Young was posted to 264 Squadron flying Defiants at Duxford on 4th June for further training. He completed his training with the squadron, was promoted to Sergeant on 7th August and received his air gunners badge on the 15th.

The squadron went south to Hornchurch on the 21st. Young shared in destroying a Ju88 on the 24th and probably destroyed a Do17 on the 26th. The remnants of 264 were withdrawn to Kirton-in-Lindsey on the 29th.

Above: Goodall and Young visible in the aircraft.

In the late evening of 8th October Young and his pilot, P/O HI Goodall, were patrolling from Halton to Maidenhead at 10000 feet. At 21.20 Goodall reported that he was going to investigate a suspected enemy aircraft. Nothing more was heard and at 21.40 it was reported that a Defiant, N1627, had crashed at Marlow and the crew were killed.

The aircraft had suspected bullet holes, so enemy aircraft may have been engaged. The colour cartridge of the hour had been fired.

Young is buried in Northwood Cemetery, Middlesex.