David Reginald Younger VC

b. 17/03/1871 Edinburgh, Scotland. d. 11/07/1900 Krugersdorp, South Africa.

David Reginald Younger (1871-1900) was born on 17th March 1871 in Edinburgh, Scotland, and served as an officer in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Edinburgh Artillery. He was then commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Gordon Highlanders on 23rd December 1893. He took part in the fighting at Chitral and on the Punjab Frontier from 1895-1897 and 1898. He was also present at the assault and capture of the Dargai Heights in October 1897.

David R Younger VC

For his services in these campaigns he received the Medal with three clasps, and in 1899 he joined his regiment on the outbreak of the Second Boer War in South Africa. During his time in South Africa, he was involved in an action which ultimately would cost him his life, but see him awarded with a posthumous Victoria Cross (London Gazette, 8th August 1902).

During the action near Krugersdorp, on the 11th July, 1900, he volunteered for and took out the party which successfully dragged a Royal Artillery waggon under cover of a small kopje, though exposed to a very heavy and accurate fire at only 850 yards range. He also accompanied the second party of volunteers who went out to try and bring in one of the guns. During the attempt he was mortally wounded, dying shortly afterwards. His cool and gallant conduct was the admiration of all who witnessed it.

Younger’s medal was sent to his family via registered post on the 30th April 1902. He was buried in the Krugersdorp Cemetery, South Africa, close to where he was killed. His medals are now in the Ashcroft Collection. 

 

LOCATION OF MEDAL: LORD ASHCROFT GALLERY, IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM. 

BURIAL PLACE: KRUGERSDORP CEMETERY, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA.

Acknowledgement:

Lord Ashcroft Collection Website – Image of the Younger VC Medal Group.