Obituaries Australia

Percy Young, c1917

photo supplied by Stanley Young

As was reported in a recent budget, Kalang people received the news of the sudden death of Mr. Percy Charles Young, on July 14, with much sadness, and deep sympathy has been extended to the bereaved wife and family, who have been held in the highest esteem by all sections in the area.

The late Mr. Young, who was 59 years of age, was born at Tamworth, NSW, but very early in life was taken with the family to Sydney, where he attended Strawberry Hills School.

As a young man he enlisted for World War I and went overseas with the First AIF, and quickly won many warm friends by reason of his splendid personality, his outstanding physical qualities, and warmth and sincerity of his friendship. He took part in many of the Army boxing tournaments, during his period of service when the unit was in reserve or in rest areas, and his ability soon brought his name before all members of the AIF. He had previously held the NSW amateur championship, which he annexed in 1912; and had also come second in the South Sydney light and welterweight Harriers’ Tournament in 1913; and the same year at the Olympic Stadium, Newtown, won the lightweight Tramway Tournament. He boxed with outstanding distinction in army tournaments as an AIF representative in contests in the British Isles, France and later at New York, before returning to Sydney at the close of World War 1, after having represented Australia also in the Allied Games, in Belgium. In the Allied Games Tourneys he came up against twelve of the picked men from all other Allied Armies and only lost three of the twelve bouts. Later, back in Australia, he was a sparring partner for Eddie McGoorty, Red Watson, and at six other prominent boxers of that time.

However, Mr. Young decided in later years to leave the city for the country districts, and he and his wife and family came to Kalang in 1928, where they established themselves as excellent neighbours in every way, aiding every worthy object in the district.

Mr. Young was always a hard worker and an excellent husband and father, and was renowned for his frankness in all matters. There was never any doubt in the mind as to where Percy Young stood.

Shortly after coming to Kalang he conducted the cream run, and later he took over the mail and delivery service, and again courtesy and efficiency were the order. He held the latter contract at the time of his death, and had just taken into partnership with him his son Percy, just returned from the Second AIF. As already stated the late Mr. Young served in the First AIF and in the second joined up with the VDC and rendered splendid service in that capacity to the Kalang unit and the cause in general.

Mr. Young was always a popular member with the various school children of the area, and amongst them he will be sadly missed indeed. He was very fond of them and invariably had jokes to make with them, or he would join in their fun with great glee; and this was particularly the case during each annual Xmas Tree function.

The remains were laid to rest in the Church of England section of the Bellingen Cemetery on Tuesday, July 16, following impressive services at St. Margaret’s and the graveside, conducted by the Rev. P. F. Tilghman. There were many beautiful floral tokens and a large gathering of friends assembled to pay their last respects to a very worthy citizen.

Mr. Young is survived by his wife, and the following sons and daughters: Mary Gloria, Percy Charles, William, Alice, Beatrice and Jack.