Frank Young was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross following the actions that took his life in 1918. This letter was written by Frank’s Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Herelton, to his father, Frank Young Senior, following the discovery of his body.
30th October
Dear Mr Young,
It is with very deep regret that I have to inform you that your gallant son was killed on the 18th of September. I heard yesterday that his body had been found by 1/5th Bn The Manchester Regt and has been buried. I have written to them asking them for particulars and will send you all information I can get from them, believe me nothing was left undone by us to find him after the show. I know it will be a very great grief to you and his mother and personally I am heartbroken because I did so hope that he was alive and a prisoner. Unfortunately, I only saw him for a few minutes just when he came up and we were going into the line. He really was the most gallant boy I ever met, and I only wish he had been spared because he was just the priceless fellow one wants out here. The whole battalion mourns him and the men who fought with him thought the world of him. It seems hopeless for me to try and sympathize with you both in your irreparable loss, but I do really. He set the finest example of an officer I ever met and died furiously fighting to the last and I only hope that that may ease your grief even a little. Believe me.
Yours very sincerely
J. Herelton Lt. Col1st Bn The Hertfordshire Regiment
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