Peter Newman Young was born and brought up in Chelmsford, the son of a prominent figure in the local Co-op Soeciety. He was educated at the town's grammar school before starting to work for the Essex County Council. He joined the R.A.F. in 1942, trained in Canada, and was killed in a flying accident in March 1945 in Rutland. His mother lived in New London Road.

Peter was born in Chelmsford in 1923, the youngest son of George Newman Young (1871-1941) and Hilda Wells Young (nee Hall) (1877-1959). His parents had married at the Wesleyan Church in Chelmsford on 25th July 1908. Peter's elder brothers were Ronald George Young (born 1910) and Richard A. Young (born 1915).

Peter's father was a prominent figure in the Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society. He had started with the Society in 1885, aged 14, working as an assistant to his father, George Young, who was the Society’s secretary and manager from 1872 to 1914. George Newman Young succeeded his father in the role in 1914 and continued to do so until December 1939 when he retired after 54 years with the Society.

After an education at King Edward VI's Grammar School in Chelmsford Peter worked for the Essex County Council Surveyor's Department. He left that employment in 1942 when volunteered for the Royal Air Force and undertook his training in Canada. Back in England he served as Flying Officer 164438.

By then Peter's father had died - on 4th April 1941. A local newspaper reported:

“Death of Mr. G. N. Young - The death occurred yesterday at his residence in London Road of Mr. George Newman Young, who was 70, and had been in failing health for some moths. Mr. Young had been associated with the Chelmsford Co-operative Society for upwards of half a century, and suceeded his father, the late Mr. G. H.  Young in the secretaryship about 25 years ago, serving the Society well up to his retirement in December, 1939. Besides the widow there are three sons.

Peter Newman YOUNG, Flying Officer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Killed in a flying accident in Rutland. Aged 22

On 3rd March 1945 Peter was killed as a result of a flying accident in Rutland.

On 9th March 1945 the Essex Chronicle reported:

“News has been received that Flying-Officer Peter Newman Young has been killed whilst on active service. He was the youngest son of the late Mr. G. N. Young and of Mrs. Young of 81 London Road, Chelmsford. He received his education at King Edward VI Grammar School, and was employed at the Essex County Surveyor's Department. He volunteered for the R.A.F. in 1942 and received his training in Canada as a navigator. He was a member of the High Street Methodist Church."

Peter's funeral service was subsequently held at his mother's house at 81 (today's number 191) New London Road, Chelmsford on 9th March 1945 with burial afterwards in grave 3788 at the London Road Non-Conformists' Cemetery.

He is commemorated on the King Edward VI's Grammar School war memorial.

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