a trial in this position by Hawthorn. — The Herald, 28 July 1939. He played in another three senior matches in 1939, and another five in 1940. His last match for Hawthorn was against Collingwood, at the Glenferrie Oval, on 6 July 1940 when, as 19th man, he took the field, in place of the injured Wally Culpitt, in the last quarter. Military service A butcher by trade, Young enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in August 1940, and became a bombardier in 3 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment RAA, Royal Australian Artillery. The unit was posted to Crete to protect RAF Heraklion from attack, and was involved in the German paratrooper attack that marked the beginning of the Battle of Crete. Death During the battle of Crete (20 May 1941 – 1 June 1941), Young was a member of a Bofors gun crew. The Allies' problems with resupplying and communications quickly turned the battle in the Germans' favour. On 29 May 1941, Young and his unit were evacuated from Crete on the destroyer . The ship was bombed twice by Stuka bombers, with the second bombardment sinking the ship. Most aboard were rescued by MAS torpedo boats and the Italian destroyer Crispi, but Young was among the 48 Australians killed. Originally declared missing in action, his status was later changed to "missing, believed killed", and, finally, to "drowned as a result of enemy action". His body has never been recovered, and he is commemorated at the Athens Memorial, Athens, Greece and at the Australian War Memorial. See also List of Victorian Football League players who died in active service Footnotes References Main, J. & Allen, D., "Young, Leo 'Gus'", pp.356-357 in Main, J. & Allen, D., Fallen – The Ultimate Heroes: Footballers Who Never Returned From War, Crown Content, (Melbourne), 2002. Holmesby, Russell & Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers. 7th ed. Melbourne: Bas Publishing. Attestation Form for Persons Voluntarily Enlisted in the Militia Forces: Leo Young (333661): 19 December 1938, National Archives of Australia. World War Two Nominal Roll: Bombadier Leo Young (VX48662), Department of Veterans' Affairs. Roll of Honour: Bombadier Leo Young (VX48662), Australian War Memorial. Bombadier Leo Young (VX48662), Commonwealth War Graves Commission. External links 1915 births Australian rules footballers from Victoria (Australia) Hawthorn Football Club players Maffra Football Club players Australian military personnel killed in World War II 1941 deaths Australian Army personnel of