Leo "Gus" Young (18 May 1915 – 29 May 1941) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League. Rated as a top forward early in his career, Young was killed in action in World War II during the Battle of Crete. Family The youngest of the seven children of Henry James Young (1870-1943), and Margaret Young (1875-1947), née Clark, Leo Young was born at Heyfield, Victoria on 18 May 1915. Education He was educated (as a boarder) at the Marist Brothers' St Patrick's College, in Sale, Victoria. Football Maffra (GFL) Playing from, at least, 1933, he played for the Maffra Football Club in the Gippsland Football League, in four Grand Finals: two of which were won by Maffra (1935, and 1938). Hawthorn (VFL) He was cleared from Maffra to Hawthorn on 17 May 1939. The League records have him making his "debut" against North Melbourne, at the Arden Street Oval, on 15 July 1939; whilst technically correct -- in that Young was selected as the team's 19th man -- there is nothing in any of the available match reports to indicate that he ever took the field. His first match, as part of the Hawthorn "run on" team of 18 players, on the following Saturday (22 July 1939), against Geelong, at the Corio Oval. Hawthorn have secured a promising player from Maffra in Leo (Gus) Young, who made a successful debut against Geelong. Stationed at half-forward [flank], he showed a sound knowledge of position play, and was noticeable for some quick-thinking actions which would have done credit to a more experienced player. Young, who is 23 years of age is a nicely built footballer weighing 12.9 [stone] and standing 5ft 11in. He played with Maffra for eight years, mostly as a utility player, and was a member of [two] premiership teams. — The Sporting Globe, 26 July 1939. It has been said that the true test of a city player's ability can be gauged from the form he shows on the dreaded Geelong ground. If such is the case, Gus Young, the Maffra utility, has a bright future, as he was one of the outstanding players in his first League game with Hawthorn. He played on a half forward [flank], but as he has registered some good scoring performances when stationed at full forward for Maffra, it is likely that he will be given