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Memorials & Monuments
on the Isle of Wight
- Biography -
- Alexander Young Young-James -

Name : Alexander Young Young-James

Son of John Rees James and Alexandrina (Alise) Minnie Elsie James (née Young) of Glamorganshire.

Born 1885, Cwm Avon, Port Talbot, Glamorganshire (registered Dec qtr 1885 Neath, as Alexander Young James)

Married 1913, Bertha Agnes Cole, Birmingham. One son : Douglas de Singleton Young-James, born 1914, Newport.
  Census information :

1891 : John and Alise James with their children including Alexander aged 5, are at Offire Square, Michaelstone Super Avon, Cwm Avon, Pantdu Mid Glamorgan. John James is a Surgeon.

1891 : John and Alexandrina James with their children including Alexander aged 15, are at 13, Mortimer Road, Bristol. John James is a Surgeon (retired).

1911 : Alexander Young-James, aged 25, is a Boarder with Catherine Dora Pakeman at 29 Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton. Alexander Young-James is a Solicitor.

  Service Details :

Lieut Alexander Young Young-James, 1/8th Bn Hampshire Regiment (Isle of Wight Rifles).

(see obituary for further details)
Casualty Details :

Died 12 August 1915 aged 30, Gallipoli

Commemorated at : Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey (as YOUNG, J.A.Y.)

CWGC Record (as James Alexander Y Young)
  Commemorated on these Memorials :

Newport War Memorial (as YOUNG, J A Y)
Newport Literary Society War Memorial (as A.Y. YOUNG-JAMES)
Newport Rowing Club War Memorial
Isle of Wight Rifles War Memorial, Carisbrooke Castle (as A.Y. YOUNG-JAMES)
Isle of Wight Rifles War Memorial, Drill Hall, Newport (as A.Y. YOUNG-JAMES)
Newport Conservative Club Roll of Honour (as J. YOUNG)
  Photo Gallery :



Officers of the 1/8th Bn Hampshire Regiment in 1915 illustrated in The Hampshire Regimental Journal Oct 1915.
14 of the 29 Officers pictured died in WW I. Click image to enlarge.
  Documents and Newspaper cuttings :

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, August 27, 1915 Page 5

Isle of Wight Rifles.

SERIOUS NEWS REGARDING SEVERAL OFFICERS.
The anxiety which has existed during the last few days regarding the Imperial Service Battalion of the Isle of Wight Rifles - the 8th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment (T.F.) - is still unrelieved. Following the announcement that Rifleman Wray, of Newport, had died as the result of wounds, came the inclusion in the official lists published on Monday of the name of 2nd Lieut. A.G.A. Sutton among the wounded. These two facts clearly indicated that the Rifles had either been in action or had been fired upon in an attempted landing. Since then we regret to announce that more serious news has been received, no fewer than eight of the officers of the battalion being reported as missing and believed to be killed. The names of the eight officers are: -
Major E.H. Lewis (second in command)
Captain D.W. Ratsey
Captain C. Ratsey
Captain A. Holmes Gore
Captain G.C. Loader
Lieut. A.C. Young-James
2nd Lieut. L.C. Watson
2nd Lieut. F.C.M. Raymond

Of course there is still a hope that some of the above officers may have been taken prisoners by the Turks whose record in the treatment of their prisoners is far better than that of the Germans. Very naturally the question repeatedly asked is "If the officers have suffered so badly what has been the fate of the N.C.O.'s and men?" We trust there may soon be an end to the existing suspense.


ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, August 27, 1915 Page 4

Lieut. A.C. Young-James, who is also reported missing, is a solicitor, of Newport, having succeeded as senior partner to the well-known Island practice of the late Mr. Roach Pittis, J.P., on the death of the latter some two or three years ago. He had been in the Isle of Wight Rifles about two years ago, and while stationed at Ventnor a few months ago, made a number of friends in the town. He comes of a well-known family. His partner in the practice, Lieut. C.S. Pittis, is serving in Gallipoli in the same regiment. He married soon after coming to Newport where his wife is residing.


Isle of Wight County Press

Saturday, August 28, 1915

Lieut. A.Y. Young-James, who is reported as missing from the I.W. Rifles, is the son of Dr. Young-James of Bristol, and succeeded to the important legal practice of the late Mr. R. Roach Pittis, J.P., after the death of that gentleman about two years ago. (*) His prospective partner in the practice, Lieut. C.S. Pittis (**) is also serving in the Rifles at the front. Mr. Young-James served his articles with one of the largest and most influential legal firms of Bristol, Messrs. Meade-King and Sons, and after his admission went to Wolverhampton, from which place he came to Newport. He shortly afterwards married, and his wife and infant son are residing at Lugley House, Newport. During his residence in Newport Mr. Young-James was active in identifying himself with objects for the public well-being and was a valued supporter of the Primrose League and the Unionist cause.


(*) Richard Roach Pittis, died 1913.
(**) Lieut. C.S. Pittis died in 1917 in Gaza.

From the National Probate Calendar 1920 :

  Further information :

On Lieut. Young-James Medal Index Card, his widow's address is given as :

1) Buckhurst Lodge, Marlborough Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight

2) Petit Sejour, Route de Paris, St Jean-de-Luz, B. Pyrénées, France

History of Roach Pittis (also includes Charles PITTIS)

  Acknowledgments :

Janet Griffin for additional newspaper research

Ann Riley for the Officers group photo
  Page status :
Page last updated : 21st December 2015 (added link to Newport Rowing Club



 
 

 
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