World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award posthumously on July 31, 1917 for his actions as a 2nd lieutenant in the 13th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry of the British Army on July 7, 1917 at the Battle of Hill 60 in Flanders, Belgium during World War I. Born in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, he initially joined the British Royal Army Medical Corps following the outbreak of World War I in July 1914. Later, he transferred to the East Surrey Regiment before joining The Durham Light Infantry and was sent to the Western Front where he was killed in combat at the age of 24 when his unit attempted to recapture Hill 60 (located near Klein Zilbekke, Belgium,) from the German forces who occupied it. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. While out on patrol this officer was wounded and had to return to his trenches to have his wounds dressed. Shortly afterwards a report came in that the enemy were preparing to raid our trenches. 2nd Lt. Youens, regardless of his wound, immediately set out to rally the team of a Lewis gun, which had become disorganised owing to heavy shell fire. During this process an enemy's bomb fell on the Lewis gun position without exploding. 2nd Lt. Youens immediately picked it up and hurled it over the parapet. Shortly afterwards another bomb fell near the same place; again 2nd Lt. Youens picked it up with the intention of throwing it away, when it exploded in his hand, severely wounding him and also some of his men. There is little doubt that the prompt and gallant action of 2nd Lt. Youens saved several of his men's lives and that by his energy and resource the enemy's raid was completely repulsed. This gallant officer has since succumbed to his wounds." His Victoria Cross and other medals (British War Medal, Victory Medal (1914-19), and 1914-15 Star) are on display at the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Art Gallery in Durham, County Durham, England.