NEWS Captain JockYoung, Assam Regiment Retreat P/M Peter MacInnes
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In an action on 31 March, 1944,
prior to the Battle of Kohima, the then Lieutenant Young (24) gave his life to save his men. He was from the west end of Glasgow (near the College of Piping). During the battle he saw that his troops were going to be wiped out by a far larger Japanese force, yet he had orders they were ‘to fight to the last man’. Lt.Young sent his men to safety and stayed behind himself knowing he would be giving his life as the ‘last man’. His bravery and that of the other men of the Assam Regiment to which he was attached, allowed the garrison town of Kohima to ready itself for the coming Japanese onslaught. Glasgow City Council recently
unveiled a commemorative plaque outside Lt. Young’s home at 7 Jedburgh Gardens, North Kelvinside,
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Glasgow. It reads:‘7 Jedburgh Gardens was the home of Lieutenant John M.Young, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, attached The Assam Regiment who, age 24, inWorldWar II at Kharasom near Kohima, gave his life in a heroic stand to protect India from invasion having first saved the lives of the brave men he led.’ Glasgow decided to honour Lt
Young after his story was brought to the attention of the council by Mr Roy McCallum, the managing director of a local advertising agency. Glasgow’s Lord Provost Bob Winter, known to pipe bands around the world as the man often taking the salute at the Worlds on Glasgow Green, unveiled the memorial. He said: ‘Lt. Young’s story is one of amazing courage, care for those under his command and bravery. The