A Photograph from the personal collection of ephemera & photographs belonging to RAF Officer Air Commodore John Frederick Young, who served in both WWI and WWII, also in years intervening, and for 5 years after the close of WW2. 

         Decorated in 1917 with the Military Medal, gaining a temporary commission in the last years of the war, which was later made permanent. His main body of service was served in the RFC then RAF, making his first solo flight in February 1918 with 3hours 10 minutes in the air.

         Post WWI he then served in Mesopotamia / Iraq for some time, by 1936 serving as a flight lieutenant he received the honour of an MBE in the King's birthday honours. 

         By WW2 he was promoted to the rank of Wing Commander, assigned to 351 maintenance unit for periods throughout the war. By the end of 1942, now serving in North Africa, Young had earned yet another promotion to Group captain (temporary) which was later made permanent in 1943, during 1943 & 44 he earned 2 Mentions in Despatches.

         Post WWII, Young was promoted to Air Commodore, received a CBE in the King's New years honours in 1946, spending much of this period of service on SASO ( Senior Air Staff Officer) duties. In late 1950 he retired from his long service.

Other areas of note:

         Young was educated at Crouch end/Campsbourne school in Hornsey, from whom he sought and received a reference from in his earliest application for gaining a commission.

         He had two children by the advent of WW2; and supported throughout his service and after by his wife "Barbara" or "Babs." 

         Young was a freemason in at least the intervening periods between WW1 and the receipt of his MBE in 1936. 

       

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