Mark Aitchison Young
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Young was born on 30 June 1886 and was educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge. He entered Ceylon Civil Service in 1909 and served in the European War from 1915. He served as Principal Assistant Colonial Secretary of Ceylon from 1923 to 1928, then as Colonial Secretary of Sierra Leone from 1928 to 1930.
From 1930 to 1933, he served as Chief secretary to the Government of Palestine, during the British Mandate of Palestine. From 5 August 1933 to March 1938, he served as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Barbados. From November 1937 to February 1938, he served at the administered Government of Trinidad and Tobago. Then from 1938 to 1941, he became the last Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Tanganyika Territory British Mandate.
He served as Governor of Hong Kong between 1941 and 1947. During his term, which coincided with the Pacific theatre of World War II, Hong Kong came under the threat of Japanese invasion. At 08:00, December 8, 1941, several hours after Pearl Harbor was attacked, Hong Kong came under fire of Imperial Japanese Forces. The attacks only lasted for 18 days, and ended when Young and his army surrendered to the Japanese General Takashi Sakai. That day was December 25, the 'black Christmas' known by Hong Kong people, who were then subject to Japanese rule for next 3 years and 8 months.
Young was a prisoner of war in Japanese hands from December 1941 to August 1945. He resumed duties in Hong Kong on 1 May 1946. He retired in 1947 and died on 12 May 1974.
He and his wife, Josephine Mary, had two sons and two daughters.
Young was created C.M.G. in 1931, K.C.M.G. in 1934, and G.C.M.G. in 1946.
| Preceded by: Harry Scott Newlands | Governor of Barbados 1933 - 1938 | Succeeded by: Sir Eubule John Waddington |
| Preceded by: Harold Alfred MacMichael | Governor of Tanganyika 1938 - 1941 | Succeeded by: none |
| Preceded by: Sir Geoffry Stanford Northcote | Governor of Hong Kong 1941; 1946 - 1947 | Succeeded by: Sir Alexander Grantham |