EILEEN MARY YOUNG 1898–1957
Before the War
Eileen was born on 8th October 1898 in Nottingham. When Eileen was 2 she was living at 5, Arthur Street, Nottingham with her father Alfred, stationer and company director, mother Lilias, sister Doris, 6, and brother John, 5. Also living in the household was Eliza Watkinson, domestic servant. In 1911 Eileen, 13, was living with her father Alfred, 47, stationer, step-mother Gertude, 36, and sister Doris, 16. Both girls were at school. Eileen’s mother, Lilias Emma, died on 13th May 1908. Her address at the time was Parwich, Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
During the War
The following information about Eileen Mary Young has been extracted from transcribed Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment records, available at www.redcross.org.uk
Eileen volunteered to serve as a Red Cross V.A.D. during the War. She was living at 36 Arboretum Street, Nottingham and became a member of the Nottinghamshire detachment. She commenced work at Notts County War Hospital, Radcliffe on Trent as a shorthand typist on 5th May 1918. Eileen was given the rank of head clerk after being there a fortnight. She organised the filing system and was stationery clerk.
Eileen’s duties included shorthand and typewriting and general help with all work connected with the hospital including Army pay and G.S.V.A.D. (General Service Voluntary Aid Detachment) pay. (Department Registrar’s Office). She was also G.S.V.A.D. uniform supervisor. The General Service section of the V.A.Ds was established in September 1915. Members were supplied to replace men in hospitals, who were then sent to the field. V.A.Ds carried out the men’s duties and some covered civil positions such as dispensers, clerks, cooks and storekeepers. (redcross.org.uk/WW1). Eileen was paid 40 shillings and sixpence, working full time at Notts County War Hospital until 4th January 1919.
1921 Census
Address: Arboretum Street, Nottingham
Employment: Shorthand Typist, Boots
Household: brother John Hockwood Young, City Life Assurance, their step mother was in a nursing home at time of census
After the War
Eileen remained single. In 1939 she was living at 128 Nottingham Road, Sherwood Rise, Nottingham with widowed housewife Janet Young. Eileen’s occupation was clerk-typist.
Eileen died in December 1957 in Nottingham, age 59.
