He was 39 years old, and a private in the 8th (S) Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 22 December 1915, east of Foncquevillers, France, Private Young saw from his trench that one of his company's NCOs was lying wounded in front of the wire.

Acting without orders and heedless of his exposure to enemy fire, he climbed over the parapet and went to the rescue of his sergeant.

Undeterred, he went on and, with another soldier who came to assist, brought the wounded sergeant back to safety.

Later Private Young walked back to the village dressing station to have his injuries attended to.