Andrew was born in Postwick, Norfolk on 3 December 1899 and baptised in the local church on 18 February 1900. His parents were Emily and George Youngs. His father worked as a gardener. Andrew had a sister and a brother.
Alice Maud born October 1895
Victor George born 10 August 1897
In 1901 the family were living on Marsh Road in Postwick.
They moved to live in Poringland. In 191 1the family were living at the Bungalow, Poringland. The boys were both at school but their sister was working as a domestic servant in Norwich.
By July 1917 Emily and George were living at Belcombe Lodge, The Street, Saxlingham Nethergate. George was working at Belcombe House as a gardener, as Belcombe Lodge was a tied property.
Their son Victor was in the Norfolk Regiment and on 10th July 1917 became a prisoner of war.
Although only 16 years old Andrew joined the Royal Navy on 29 January 1916. He had been working as a domestic servant. He became an ordinary seaman on 3 December 1917. At that time he was 5 feet 3 inches tall with a 30 inch chest. He had light brown hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion. He had moles on his right shoulder. He signed on for 12 years. His service number was J49813.
In 1921 he is on the Absent Voters List for Saxlingham Nethergate at his parents’ address. He was on HMS Actaeon.
In the summer of 1921 he married Rosina Janeway in Luton, Bedfordshire. They had five children
Leslie born 1922
Iris born 1925
Freda born 1927 died 1928
Dennis born 1929
Geoffrey born 1931
After serving 12 years in the navy Andrew re-joined again in 1929 and served until 1940.
He and Rosina divorced but there are no details of when this happened. In 1939 she was living at 20 Millfield Way Luton with her father and her children. She died in 1942.
In 1934 he married Grace Ruth Albina Aldis, born 3 August 1897. She came from Saxlingham Nethergate where her father was a blacksmith. They had two children.
Pamela M Youngs born in 1935
Bernard Youngs born in 1937.
It is not known what work Andrew did after leaving the navy, but he returned to live in Hempnall.
In 1939 Grace was living in Hempnall with the two children and her mother.
In 1955 Pamela married an American serviceman and moved to live in North Carolina. She had four children.
Bernard continued to live in Norfolk.
Andrew died on 19 March 1968 in Hempnall and is buried in Hempnall cemetery.
Acknowledgements
England & Wales, Birth, marriage, death index 1837-2005
UK Census Collection
1939 Register- www.findmypast.co.uk
Norfolk Electoral Rolls-Southern Division Saxlingham Nethergate and Thorpe, (Absent Voters Lists 1918-1921)
Norfolk, Church of England Diocesan Baptismal Records, Postwick, Norfolk.
UK Naval Service Records.
UK Naval Medal and Award Roll 1793-1973
UK and Ireland Find a Grave Index.
Photograph of Grace and Andrew Youngs taken from family tree of Alvin/Hansen on www.ancestry.co.uk
Family trees Youngs/Janeway as above.
If anyone has any photographs or information about this person, please contact me. Email jan@janmfox.co.uk