Francis Albert Young (1879 - 1964)

Ancestors Descendants

Biography

According to his living grandchildren (anonymous) in New Zealand, he apparently lived in a village on the A38 called Churchill in England. He was brought up in 9 Brent Road in Bristol. He was a tram driver in Birmingham. Also he fought in the Boer war in South Africa and was in the fire service in NSW, Australia.

According to the 1881 England census ^[1] Francis was 2 years old and lived with his Mother Maria, father Albert and older siblings Mary, Walter, George, Alice and Charles, and someone called Helen Holmes (who was only 15). Their address was 311 Gloster Road, Gloucester shire, England.

According to the 1999 Young family reunion documents, he served in the Grenadier Guards army unit and fought in the Boer war.

He later moved to Australia where he farmed for a time, but when WWI broke out her joined the Australian army and fought at Galipoli and the Somme.

On return home he moved to New Zealand and settled in Whangarei.

This is where Margaret and Francis' relationship started. Margaret already had two children from a previous relationship. Then Francis and Margaret got pregnant with their first two children together. At this time Francis operated a milk run and was known as "Honest Frank" as he sold pure milk whereas others added water to make that extra penny. Shortly after their second child's birth, they decided to go to Australia.

To do this, they had to go to Wellington but on the way, both children contracted Whooping Cough and at the time this illness was considered contagious and therefore dangerous, and the journey was halted.

They moved back to Auckland and housing was obtained in Penrose and during their stay they had their third child together. After a short period they moved to Mt Wellington where they had another two children. Another year or so it was on the move again to Otahuhu where two more children were born.

They were soon on the road again this time to Katikati where they had three moves in three years. Another few years and they moved to Drury. After another short stay they again moved on. This time to Bayswater and this was the last move as a family unit.

He was 84 years old when he died on the 4 March 1964. ^[2] His remains were cremated at Waikumete Crematorium on the 6 March, and the ashes placed in the Service Persons Ash Burial Area K, Row 2A, Plot 40 on the 9 March.^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ Class: RG11; Piece: 2487; Folio: 142; Page: 17; GSU roll: 1341599: Census Returns of England and Wales, 1881. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Office (PRO), 1881.
2. ↑ New Zealand Births Deaths and Marriages, https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/, accessed 23 August 2021, Death registration 1964/24096 for Francis Young, age 84
3. ↑ Auckland Council, Cemeteries, https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/cemeteries, Accessed 23 August 2021, Burial details for Francis Young

See also

• Young, W. (1999). The Beginning... Young Family Reunion Booklet.