Biography

Benjamin Young was baptised at Boldre in Hampshire on the 8th of January 1786, son of Benjamin Youngs and his wife, Sarah Button. ^[1]

He joined the Royal Navy and, rated as an ordinary seaman, he joined the crew of 36 gun frigate, HMS Euryalus, captained by Henry Blackwood, on the 7th of August 1803.^[2] His first action was in October 1804 when she participated in an attack on French vessels off Boulogne pier. ^[3] Euryalus went on to capture the San Jose in February 1805 later joining Lord Collingwood's fleet and was sent to England in August with news that Villeneuve's combined Franco-Spanish fleet had arrived at Cadiz. On the 15th of September she sailed in company of Victory to join the blockading fleet. ^[4] By October Euryalus was the lead of four frigates watching the Franco-Spanish fleet anchored in Cadiz harbour. ^[3]

The combined fleet sailed on the 21st of October and was brought to battle the following day. Euryalus at 36 guns was too small to engage in the fighting and though fired upon sustained little damage. Victory and Royal Sovereign, which had led the charge into battle, were both badly damaged and after Nelson's death when Collingwood took command he transferred his flag to Euryalus. She also accommodated the defeated French Admiral Villeneuve on his journey to England. ^[4]

On the 10th of March 1808 Benjamin joined the crew of Royal Sovereign as an able seaman and on the 15th of May was transferred to Ville de Paris. ^[2] On the 17th September he transferred to the new Caledonia, as a gunner's mate. ^[2] The largest and most heavily armed vessel of the time, Caledonia was reckoned to be faultless. ^[5]

Benjamin died in 1822 and was buried at Boldre on the 7th of July. ^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ Hampshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials (Bishops´ Transcripts, Boldre Christenings 8 Jan 1786 Benjamin son of Benjamin and Sarah Youngs)
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Trafalgar Ancestors: Benjamin Young
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Wikipedia: HMS Euryalus (1803)
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} " The Trafalgar Companion " Mark Adkin, Aurum Press 2005 ISBN 1 84513 0189 Page 342: Euryalus
5. ↑ Wikipedia: HMS Caledonia (1808)
6. ↑ Hampshire, England, Church of England Burials, 1813-1921 (Parish Registers Boldre 7th July 1822 Benjamin Young of Pilley)