Officer in Queen’s Own Hussars

Born: October 23, 1939;

Died: August 3, 2017

LIEUTENANT COLONEL David Younger, who has died in Melrose aged 77, was an officer in The Queen’s Own Hussars and a stalwart Melrose resident who served his country and regiment with a devoted sense of duty. They were qualities he displayed throughout his army career and in retirement in Melrose where he was connected with many local events and was generous in offering the grounds of his beloved Ravenswood for charitable purposes.

He served with his regiment for 28 years in various postings in Germany, and the UK. He was also with the regiment during evacuation of the UK troops from Aden and served in West Belfast during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Lt/Col Hugh Sandars was his commanding officer when the two served in the demanding days of the Aden evacuation – he was also Colonel Younger’s best man in 1966. Colonel Sandars spoke warmly of his friend to The Herald. “David was a lovely man and entertained latterly in a wonderfully relaxed manner at the Dairy Cottage Old Melrose," he said. "He was much liked and respected by everyone. David knew what was going on in Melrose and the surrounding area and was devoted to his family.

“As a soldier David held various important regimental posts, often serving on difficult tours – notably West Belfast. He despatched such posts with utmost efficiency. David was generous to a fault, quiet, kind and very much a people person.”

Colonel David John Younger was the son of Major General Ralph Younger DSO MC CB CBE and Greta Younger. He was a member of the brewing family (McEwans Younger) which after several mergers became Scottish & Newcastle Brewers before being taken over in 2009 by Heineken International.

In his early life he was looked after by his grandmother near Yeovil, as both his parents were abroad during the Second World War. But he often returned to Melrose to see his family while attending Eton College.

In 1958 he was commissioned into The Queen’s Own Hussars, the same regiment as his father – who had been colonel of the regiment. Colonel Younger served with the regiment for the next 28 years in various postings in Germany, the UK, Aden and Northern Ireland.

In 1960 and 1967 Colonel Younger saw service in tanks with his regiment during the Emergency in Aden. Whilst carrying out strategic desert trials in 1960 the regiment was much involved with enhancing connections within the community. They also carried out combined service amphibious exercises around the Arabian Gulf area. In 1967 he was involved in the tense last months when the UK withdrew all its forces from Aden.

Colonel Younger served in Northern Ireland in 1973; and returned in 1979 for a sensitive tour in West Belfast.

Further duties included regimental posts as a signals officer and squadron leader of the Demonstration Squadron at the School of Infantry.

In 1972 Colonel Younger successfully passed the Army Staff Course exams and was sent to Camberley. After staff appointments he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and served his last two years as the Camp Commandant Royal Armoured Corps Ranges at Castlemartin in Wales.

In 1986 Colonel Younger and his wife Dewey returned to live at the impressive family mansion, Ravenswood overlooking the River Tweed. For many years he played an important role in many aspects of life in and around Melrose. He was a supporter of Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church in the town, a member of The Royal Company of Archers and an active president of the Melrose Branch of Royal British Legion.

The present chairman of the Melrose Legion, Colin Hart, spoke to The Herald of their work together. “David was president from 1993-2005 and had a keen interest in and was an enthusiastic supporter of the legion. We drove to the quarterly meetings of the Borders’ branches in Kelso together and discussed many aspects of legion affairs. He was, in many ways, an ideal president.”

Before being diagnosed with diabetes, Colonel Younger was a keen shot, had hunted with the Buccleuch Hunt and had acted as a steward at Musselburgh Race Course.

Colonel Younger married Jane Dewey in 1966. She and their three children survive him.

ALASDAIR STEVEN