Russell Young (tennis)

Lt Col Russell Richard Thomas Young DSO (25 June 1902 – 1990) was a New Zealand Davis Cup player, army officer, and corporate executive.

Early life

Young was born in Wellington on 25 June 1902. His parents were Theodosia Evelyn Young and Arthur Young.^[1]

Career

Young took a degree and a tennis Blue at Cambridge, then pursued an advanced degree.^[2] He represented New Zealand in the 1928 Davis Cup. At the outbreak of World War II, he was living in London, an executive for Shell. He was commissioned in the New Zealand Army, and fought in North Africa and Italy. As a captain and company commander, he was the only member of the 22nd Battalion (New Zealand) to escape after much of the battalion was captured after encirclement at Ruweisat Ridge during First Battle of El Alamein. To complete this escape he trekked for four days and nights across the Libyan desert with limited supplies and only the stars to guide him.^[3] He later served as the Commanding Officer of the Māori Battalion. During the Italian Campaign, he earned a Distinguished Service Order during the Battle of Monte Cassino.

After World War II, Lieutenant Colonel Young returned to the business world, serving as a corporate director. From 1952, he took up residence in Trumpeters' House, one of the surviving Tudor-era buildings in the grounds of Richmond Palace. He died in Surrey in 1990.

References