In April 1948, the Reverend Father Willis ordered two side lights to complete a three-light window in the Lady Chapel at St. Monica's catholic Church, Moonee Ponds. The lights were to be placed on either side of The Ascension, which had been ordered from Hardman & Co, Birmingham in 1913. These new windows, and several other chapel windows, were not blessed until a new Hardman window behind the High Altar was also blessed by His Grace, the Archbishop of Melbourne, the Most Reverend Dr. Mannix on 19 December 1954. Mr. Robert Martin Young of Leslie Street Essendon, father of the young airman, attended the dedication service.
Robert John Young was born on 1 February 1924 at Moonee Ponds and he enlisted in the RAAF, just after his 18th birthday, on 6 February 1942. He was posted as Flight Sergeant to 189 Suadron of RAF Bomber Command, flying Lancasters over Europe. On the day after his 21st birthday Young was flying as wireless operator with his usual Pilot and Captain, Flying Officer G. Locke, which was on a mission to Germany when it came down near Metz, close to the border of Germany and France. Two of the crew parachuted to safetybut four others lost their lives when the aircraft's bomb load exploded on impact. Young was reported missing, and detailed enquiries were instigated. He was ultimately presumed dead and is commemorated at Hotton War Cemetery Belgium.
References & Acknowledgements
AWM Roll of Honour; NAA: A705, 166/45/31; Advocate, 20 January 1955, p.20.
