Major James C L Young (1894-1918) beautifully honoured in Windmill British Cemetery in France. Had James survived the war, Major Richard Godfrey Simmins would have become his brother-in-law in 1920. Sadly, Richard lies buried in an unmarked grave at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa.
Celebrated his 25th birthday, ten days prior to his death.
Enlistment of Lt James Christian Lawrence Young
Prior to enlistment, Young a law student with Emery, Newell and Bolton and serving with the 101st Regiment Edmonton Fusiliers. Three years OTC, 1 year Territorial Force, and 1 1/2 years Canadian Militia, CEF. His father Colonel (Dr) James Young of 6 Alexander Square, London South West, England. A brother, George Gordon Fussell Young.
Photographer/Illustrator: McDermid Studio, Edmonton, Alberta. Image courtesy of the Glenbow Archives, NC-6-1199.
Enlisted 23 September 1914 as a Lieutenant with C Company of the 9th Canadian Infantry Battalion. LtCol Samuel Maynard Rogers commanding. James would become one of the youngest majors at only 24 years old. A big, strong young man, he stood 6 feet tall, 190 pounds, with medium complexion, brown eyes and hair. He was a Christian Scientist – a very rare entry on a CEF attestation paper.
In September of 1915, indemnification claim for loss of kit. Presumably, in favour of Lt Young, as no reprimand on record. A soldier may face FGCM for such an offense at the front.
France
1st Battalion
Reported from Base, wounded 15.6.15. Admitted to No. 2 Red Cross Hospital, Rouen – GW wounds head and shoulder, 17.6.15
Evacuated to England aboard HS ST ANDREW, 27.6.15, and admitted to West Burns Hospital. Medically incapacitated for 1 month, 6.7.15. Fit for service, and discharged on 17.8.15.
Return to Canada
Proceeded to Canada on duty, 13-4-16. Lt J C L Young transferred to 202nd Battalion on 6 September 1916 and promoted to Major. Medical examination at Sarcee Camp, Alberta on 4 October 1916. Unit sailed 23 November 1916.
202nd Battalion
Returned to England as Major of 202nd Battalion, 23-11-16 aboard SS MAURETANIA. LtCol Peter Edwin Bowen commanding. Major’s Gordon Percival Howe and Alastair Wm A Stewart-Irvine also from James’ former unit (101st Regiment). Arrived in England and transferred from the 9th Reserve Battalion to the 1st Battalion.
Leave
Major James C L Young on leave from 18-8-16 to 16-11-16. SoS and posted to the Alberta Regiment Depot, Bramshott, 30-6-17. On Command HQ 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade. Appointed Brigade Major at Witley Camp. 21-5-17.
Major James C L Young SoS and attached for duty with HQ Canadians, Witley, with effect from 11-3-18. Ceases to be attached on proceeding overseas to the 1st Battalion.
Return to France
Attached to the 3rd Canadian Division HQ for duty on 21-4-18. Major James C L Young attached to 1st Canadian Division HQ for duty on 9-6-18.
GSO (General Staff Officer) 3rd Grade, 1st Canadian Division from 30-6-18. Granted 5 days special leave to Paris on 19-8-18.
Marriage
Major James C L Young and Mrs. Young married in Paris, France in July 1918.
On 28 August 1918, in the presence of Major William Basil Wedd, he completed his Will.
Death of Major James Christian Lawrence Young
Death: October 13, 1918. Killed by a shell in the vicinity of L’Ermitage (51b.K.14.b). North of Estrées between Mont Binage and Mont Privé. Son of Lt. Col. James Young, of London, England. Husband of Phyllis Ernestine (née Beaufort) Young, of 248, Buena Vista Rd., Rockcliffe, Ottawa, Ontario.
Windmill British Cemetery, Monchy-Le-Preux
Monchy-le-Preux a village about 7 kilometres south-east of Arras. Windmill British Cemetery lies to the south of the village on the north side of the main Arras-Cambrai road, the D939.
Phyllis Beaufort had been living in a flat in Kensington with her sister, Miss Marjorie Beaufort, both working in government departments. At 10 o’clock on the evening her husband was expected, Phyllis herself answered the door to what she was sure was his ring, but instead it was the messenger boy bringing the telegram of his death. Marjorie at the time very ill with congestion of the lungs following an attack of influenza, but recovered.
Following James’ death, Phyllis moved from London, England to Vancouver and then to Ottawa in the mid 1920s. Residing with Major Richard Godfrey Simmins of the Civil Service Commision, Beuna Vista Road, Rockcliffe. He had married Phyllis’ sister Marjorie Mabel Beaufort in 1920. Simmins had been a journalist before the war, and as a Lieutenant with the 8th Battalion, suffered gas poisoning 12-10-16 on the Somme.
J’Attends
Phyllis Ernestine Young waited 28 years before reuniting with her husband on 4 October 1946. Phyllis buried at Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa. Richard Godfrey Simmins died 27-1-52. His wife Marjorie, like her sister Phyllis, also waited 28 years before reuniting in 1980. Marjorie was cremated at Beechwood, though her husband was buried in the cemetery.
The Unmarked Grave of Major James Christian Lawrence Young
“Unfortunately there is no grave stone for Major Simmins. However this is a photo of his final resting place (between these two stones). This was confirmed by cemetery staff.” – M L Ecroyd
Unknown to CEFRG if this indignity has been rectified as of this post, July 2026.
Unmarked Grave Program
The objective of the Unmarked Grave Program is to provide a permanent military marker for eligible Veterans who lie in unmarked graves. If a veteran is buried in an unmarked grave (meaning the grave has not had a permanent headstone or foot marker for at least five years), the Last Post Fund Unmarked Grave Program can provide a standard military marker at no cost. Note: Mr Ecroyd’s photo of the grave from six years ago.
You can initiate a request or check criteria by contacting the Last Post Fund directly (Toll-free: 1-800-465-7113 | info@lastpost.ca).
Major Young serving with 1st Canadian Division HQ at the time of his death.
When Marjorie passed in 1980, she left behind a daughter Susette Simmins (1928-2007) of York, England, and a son Richard Beaufort Simmons (1924-1999), in Ottawa. Their other child, Godfrey Jermyn Philip Simmins had passed away in 1964. Sadly, chances very slim a request would originate from the family to properly honour Major When Marjorie passed in 1980, she left behind a daughter Susette Simmins (1928-2007) of York, England, and a son Richard Beaufort Simmons (1924-1999), in Ottawa. Their other child, Godfrey Jermyn Philip Simmins had passed away in 1964. Sadly, chances very slim a request would originate from the family to properly honour Major James C L Young, another forgotten soldier of the Great War.
