Young, R. J.  
Richard James Young, 277985, was a Chief Stoker in the Royal Navy. He had been in the service 21 years and had been awarded the East and West Africa Medal (Benin Expedition).

Born on 7 March 1874, he was lost at the age of 40 when HMS Natal exploded at Cromarty Firth on 30 December 1915 (family states 22nd December) He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Panel 11

He was the eldest son of Amy Young from Swingate, Dover, and her husband the late William Young. The family were living in 1881 at a cottage at West Cliffe Village, just outside Dover. Mr Young was an agricultural labourer, born at Tilmanstone and Mrs Young had been born in Ewell. All the children were born at West Cliffe, and at that time were Rosa, 10, Ellen, 8, Richard, 7, William, 5, Annie, 3, and John, 1. 

Richard followed his father and in 1891 was a farm servant at West Cliffe. By 1901 he was working as a leading stoker, and was stationed in Portsmouth Harbour. He was married to Clara Gertrude Young from 28 Maria Street, Harwich, Essex

I cannot bend beside his grave, For he sleeps in the secret sea, And not one gentle, whisp'ring wave Will tell the place to me Although unseen by human eyes, And mortals know it not, His Father knoweth where he lies, And angels guard the spot You are not forgotten, Richard dear, Nor ever will you be, As long as life and memory last, We will remember thee From his sorrowing Mother, Sisters, and Brothers