Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Norman McLaren Young, known as 'Mac', was born on 2nd June, 1899, in Coolgardie WA, the son of James Nicholas Young and Emma Davison.   Later, the family moved to Bendigo, Vic., where James Nicholas Young was employed on the composing staff of the Bendigo Advertiser.

Norman McLaren Young began employment as a Clerk with Messrs M'Coll, Rankin and Stanistreet of Charing Cross, Bendigo.   He was a 2nd Lieutenant in Senior Cadets 67 Bn, and was a member of St Pauls Church and Sunday School.   He made some strong friendships among the young men of church and senior cadets, friendships which would be life-long.

'Mac' volunteered for service in the AIF on his 18th birthday, 2nd June 1917.   He was farewelled by the officers and staff of senior cadets and a special Farewell Service was conducted at St Pauls Church.   The Staff of Messrs M'Col, Rankin and Stanistreet presented him with a handsome wallet.

'Mac' and his friend, Herbert Booker Field (known as 'Herb'), were appointed to the same unit, i.e. B Coy, No. 3 Platoon, 25/14th Reinforcements.   The men were given Final Leave prior to Embarkation but Mac and Herb were informed that they would not be embarking as the British authorities had ruled that youths under the age of 19 should not be in the firing line.   They immediately began a campaign to have this decision reversed, and on 3 October wrote to the Prime Minister, William M Hughes, for support.   They argued that they were only two months short of the required age of 18 1/2 years and that they would reach this age by the time they arrived in England.   Their argument succeeded and they were granted permission to embark with the 25/14th Reinforcements.

They embarked on HMAT Nestor on 21 November, 1917.   The 25/14th disembarked at Port Suez, Egypt, on 15 December and spent three days in the Australian Military Camp before moving to Alexandria for immediate embarkation on HMS Sarnia.   Because of the risk of attack they sailed a zig-zag course in company with another transport and an escort of four destroyers.   Instead of the usual route by sea to Marseilles they sailed for Taranto, in the south of Italy, and travelled by train across Italy into France, before sailing to England.   Full details of this trip, plus his army service thereafter, were recorded by Mac in his Diary.

On 5 January, 1918, they arrived at 12th Training Battalion at Codford.   Here, Mac and Herb were again informed that they were under the permissable age to be sent to the front.   Again they protested, but were refused permission to embark for overseas and were transferred to 4th Division Signal School to be trained as Signallers.   In June, 1918, they each qualified as First Class Signallers.   They were put on a Draft for France but did not embark as Signallers were not required in France at the time.

On 19 July, 1918, they were transferred to the 13th Battalion and embarked for France on 29 July.   They arrived at the Front Line just after the start of the Battle of Amiens on 8 August.   On arrival at Battalion Headquarters, on 9 August, they were added to the strength of B Company.   They moved forward to the Support Lines with Headquarters, but the battalion moved back into Reserve later that day.

On the night of 15 August the battalion moved into the line near Rosieres.   B and D Companies were in the Front Line.   They were with HQ Signals and took it in turn to go with the different companies.   The battalion participated in the attack of September 19, aimed at the Hindenburg Outpost Line.   In his Diary Mac recorded "Mud and mist.   Smoke Shells.   Over the top at 5.20.   Terrific barrage . . . . Will I ever forget that day not if I live to be 1000000.   Gained our objective at mid-day & dug in. . . . .   On 'A' Coys phone tonight as sig. casualties fairly heavy."   They were relieved on 21 September and moved to the rear for a rest.

After the Armistice the 13th Battalion moved to Florennes, in Belgium.   Mac signed up for the AIF Education Scheme, studying Accountancy, French, Shorthand and Typewriting.   His friend Herb was accepted for the Non-Miltary Employment Scheme, so the two mates completed the war in different units.   Mac was subsequently promoted to Corporal and Sergeant and acted as Orderly Room Sergeant.   He RTA per 'Suevic' and disembarked in Melbourne on 10 September, 1919.   He was Discharged from the AIF on 4 October, 1919.

After Discharge he returned to his previous employment and studied Accountancy at Night School.  He became a Chartered Accountant.   He married Dorothy Cambridge (known as 'Dot') in 1922.   He had written to Dot throughout the whole of his military service.

He continued his military service in the AMF as a Signals Instructor.   After war was declared he served with Signals in Victoria, Northern Territory and New Guinea.   He enlisted in the  AIF on 2 November, 1942, with the rank of Major.   Later, he held a Staff appointment as DAAG at HQ, NT Force.   He was Discharged on 11 April, 1946. 

Two of his daughters also served during WW2,  Audrey June Young as a Signalwoman in AWAS and Jacqueline Noel Young as a Driver in AWAS.