War veteran dies at 90

One of the country's most revered war veterans Mr Horrie Young, formerly of the Peninsula, has died at the age of 90.

Mr Young's funeral service was held at the Gosford Anglican Church on Thursday, July 21.

Mr Young was leading telegraphist in the Z Special Unit on MV Krait whose mission was to sink Japanese vessels in Singapore Harbour as part of Operation Jaywick in September 1943.

The Krait's heroic mission in successfully attaching limpet mines to Japanese vessels, and sinking seven of them has been the subject of numerous war histories and documentaries.

Mr Young worked in the postmaster general's department before and after the War until his retirement, when he moved to the Woy Woy area with his wife Hazel.

He remained active in the local veterans' community as a member of the Woy Woy- Ettalong-Hardys Bay Sub-branch, and in numerous veterans' associations, such as the Vets' Special Unit Association and the First Commando Regiment Association (N.S.W) of which he was a life member.

He was also a trustee of the Krait until it was handed over to the Australian National Maritime Museum in April 1988.

Mr Young was also a life member of the Wireless Institute of Australia and maintained his proficiency as a Morse code operator.

"I pay tribute to Horrie Young for his outstanding bravery and service to our country and to our Central Coast community," said Member for Robertson Ms Deborah O'Neill.

Mr Young is survived by his three children, Dianne, Neil, and Brian.

Media Release, 18 Jul 2011 Matt Pulford, Office of Deborah O'Neill MP