Name/Title
Sergeant (Pte.) John Francis Young 177239 - Only CGG Member to have won the Victoria Cross while serving with The Canadian Grenadier Guards (87th Bn CEF) - One of three Victoria Cross Recipients who served with The RegimentDescription
Sergeant (Pte.) John Francis Young, VC is the only Victoria Cross recipient who was serving with The Canadian Grenadier Guards at the time he won Britain / Canada's highest medal for Bravery. A total of three (3) Victoria Cross Winners (Sgt George Richardson, Lt. Samuel Honey, and Sgt J.F. Young) have served with The Regiment (1870 - Present). BTW: To his buddies in the Regiment, he was always known as "Frank"
The Headstone pictures below is a replacement headstone for his gravesite in Montreal. The original Headstone when replaced was presented by the family as an artifact and is displayed in the Museum.
During the hectic fighting of 2nd September 1918 no fewer than eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded for gallantry beyond the call of duty, six of them being awarded to Canadians.
CITATION For the award of the Victoria Cross
[ London Gazette, 14 December 1918 ], Dury-Arras, France, 2 September 1918, Private John Francis Young, 87th Bn, Quebec Regiment ( Canadian Grenadier Guards ), Canadian Expeditionary Force.
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack at Dury-Arras sector on the 2nd September 1918, when acting as a stretcher-bearer attached to "D" Company of the 87th Bn., Quebec Regiment (sic).
The company in the advance over the ridge suffered heavy casualties from shell and machine-gun fire. Private Young, in spite of the complete absence of cover, without the least hesitation went out, and in the open fire-swept ground dressed the wounded. Having exhausted his stock of dressings, on more than one occasion he returned, under intense fire, to the company headquarters for a further supply. This work he continued for over an hour, displaying throughout the most absolute fearlessness.
To his courageous conduct must be ascribed the saving of the lives of many of his comrades. Later, when the fire had somewhat slackened, he organized and led stretcher parties to bring in the wounded whom he had dressed. All through the operations of 2nd, 3rd and 4th September Private Young continued to show the greatest valour and devotion to duty.
John Young was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 30th April 1919.
John Young died from tuberculosis at the early age of thirty-six on the 7th November 1929 in the St Agathe Sanatorium, Quebec, probably hastened by gas poisoning during the First World War. Young was buried in the Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal.
Commemorations / Plaques honouring John Francis Young, VC
Montreal, Canada: A tribute plaque in front of Sergeant Young's Heads Stone in Mount Royal Cemetery was unveiled by The Canadian Grenadier Guards. The Canadian Grenadier Guards' Junior Ranks Mess is named the "JF Young Club" in his honour. Past and present serving members of The Canadian Grenadier Guards are required to execute a proper halt, come to attention, each time entering the JF Young Club (the Junior Ranks Mess). There is a memorial plaque dedicated to him in the CGG Sergeants' mess.
Kidderminster, England: The dedication of a new road name and a paving stone in J.F. Young's memory was unveiled by the Wyre Forest District Council. The ceremony in front took place outside St Mary's and All Saints Church in Kidderminster on September 3rd, 2018. The ceremony was attended by local dignitaries and veterans' organisations as well as representatives of the Canadian High Commission and the Canadian Grenadier Guards.
Headstone of Sergeant John Francis Young, VC - 87th Bn Canadian Grenadier Guards located in Mount Royal Cemetery. (Montreal, Canada)
Members of Canadian Grenadier Guards led by Colour Sergeant Steve Burgess, veteran and Kidderminster City Council unveil the JF Young, VC road on 3rd September, 2018.
Ottawa, Canada: A Victoria Cross Commemorative plaque honours Canadians (including Newfoundlanders) born in the UK awarded the Victoria Cross during the First World War. It was unveiled by Princess Anne on 10 Nov 2014, on the wall of the British High Commission on Elgin Street in Ottawa. According to a UK government press release: "Bronze plaques were commissioned to recognize 175 Victoria Cross winners in total from 11 countries. Canada has the highest number of overseas recipients with 70."[5]
York, Ontario - Canada: The Canadian Victoria Cross Memorial commissioned by The Mount Pleasant Group is a beautiful memorial dedicated to the 99 men who have been awarded the Victoria Cross while fighting as with the Canadian military. The monument is set out to represent the shapes of the Victoria Cross and a Maple Leaf and occupies the main walkway along the boulevard that runs through York Cemetery. Unveiled in July 2017, the memorial has individual plaques for each VC winner describing their actions of bravery which led to their receiving the highest honour awarded by the British Commonwealth. Also featured is a large replica of the Victoria Cross and an accompanying plaque that describes the history and significance of the award. [6]
Barrie Military Heritage Park, Ontario - Canada: The Military Heritage Park sits along a walking trail on the south shore of Kempenfelt Bay. The land was dedicated as a Military Heritage Park in June of 2009, the 65th anniversary of D-Day, in recognition of the significant relationship between the City of Barrie and Canadian Forces Base Borden. With generous contribution from the Rotary Club and Town Council, the park pays tribute to the history and involvement of the military in the community. Home of the Grey and Simcoe Foresters Regiment, the park was visited by their Honorary Colonel-in-Chief, Princess Anne in October of 2013. Princess Anne dedicated a three-sided memorial honoring and naming all the Canadians who have been awarded the prestigious Victoria Cross. . [7]
Memorial Plaque - CWGC Dury Crucifix Cemetery, Drury, France: A Memorial Plaque dedicated to Pte John Francis Young and the Town of Drury by Author Michel Gravel was unveiled in 2018. The CWGC Drury Crucifix cemetery is close to the location where J.F. Young won his Victoria Cross and, was begun by Canadian units (mainly the 46th and 47th Battalions) immediately after the capture of the village of Drury. There are 2058 First World War casualties buried in this site. Of these, 1766 are unidentified. This cemetery was designed by G H Goldsmith. [8]
La Voie sacree du Canada, Route939 between Arras and Cambrai, France: A Memorial Round about dedicated to the "Magnificent 7" Canadian soldiers who won their Victoria Cross medals on the same day (Spet 2nd, 1918), in the same sector, including Pte. John Francis Young, VC. Dedicated September 1st, 2018, by the municipality of Vis-en-Artois as a result of research completed by the Author Michel Gravel. 350 Canadian soldiers were killed on this small stretch of road and the memorial is located in the center of the round-about. The project was commissioned by the local French community of Osartis-Marquion and the Department of Pas-de-Calais. The seven CEF members memorialized include: Bellenden Hutchison, Arthur George Knight, William Henry Metcalf, Claude Joseph Patrick Nunney, Cyrus Wesley Peck, Walter Leigh Rayfield, and CGG 87th Bn John Francis Young.[9]Created By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Create Date
December 25, 2021Updated By
R. John Dolbec C/Sgt. (ret.)Update Date
August 6, 2025
