Description
Patrick Young was a member of the Hong
Kong Naval Volunteer Reserve during World War II and was interned by the Japanese Army
during his service. Consisting mainly of newsletters dedicated to the experiences of
military personnel in Asia during WWII, the
Patrick Young
Collection
also includes personal accounts of China collected by Young and a small
selection of articles on the topics of Shanghai and World War II-era prisoners of
war.
Background
Patrick Elliott Young was born in Shanghai, China on March 6, 1917 to British parents.
During his youth his family moved to Hong Kong and traveled to England every few years for
extended visits with family. In 1935, Patrick returned to Shanghai, where his parents were
living, and took a job with a water and heating company. In 1939, he began working as a
stenographer for the Canadian Pacific Steamship until joining the Hong Kong Naval Volunteer
Reserve in 1940. During WWII, Patrick Young was taken prisoner by the Japanese Army and was
sent to North Point and then to Yangtzepoo; he was interned for 3 years and 9 months. In
March of 1946 he returned to England and was reunited with his sweetheart, Sadie, who had
also been interned in China during the war. The two married soon after and returned to
Shanghai where Patrick took a job with the Shanghai Shipping Company. Patrick and Sadie had
two daughters while in Shanghai and left the city in 1950, traveling first to Scotland and
then Tokyo before moving to San Francisco in 1953. Today Patrick and Sadie Young reside in
Portland, Oregon.
Restrictions
Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of
this collection has been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright
status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected
by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the
written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any
use rests exclusively with the user.