I love my Salvation Army Heritage. My hero is my grandmother’s sister, my great aunt Adjutant Louise G. Young, who served as a “doughnut girl” in WWI.

Her father, Adjutant Samuel Young, was born in Canada. He founded the American branch of the Young family when he moved to Chicago in 1883 and married Lillian Long. They had seven children, the first being  Louise in January 1891. Of the seven children, four became Salvation Army (SA) officers: Louise, Herb, Wilbur and Elsie (my grandmother).

From early childhood, Louise was known for her happy spirit while participating in every aspect of SA work. She was described as having a winsome presence and illuminating smile; she radiated the sweetness of Christian character and joy of living.

Louise was a cadet when she was asked if she would volunteer to serve overseas as one of a group of young women hand-picked to go overseas by National Commander Commissioner Evangeline Booth. High integrity was required. Louise was 26 years old at the time and was told that her SA training would be completed as she served on the front lines in France. Not many cadets can say that!    

The conditions overseas were rough — they kept moving from place to place. The doughnut girls modeled the phrase “start where you are, use what you have.” Supplies had run out and were difficult to buy locally. The only things they could purchase were flour, sugar, lard, baking powder, cinnamon and canned milk. What about pancakes? They are no good cold or without syrup! What about doughnuts?   

Everything changed; their legacy had begun. Their perspective shifted from what they didn’t have to all that God did have! The first doughnuts were made in their helmets, seven at a time, and they made 150. The next day the number was doubled and later, when fully equipped for the job, they served up to 2,000 doughnuts daily. 

Louise G. Young received national recognition in the form of a medal for fearlessly venturing into the front line trenches to feed and comfort the soldiers. She was one of the few women who entered the firing zones. Her duties took her to St. Mihiel, Chateau-Thierry, and Argonne, along with other localities where the fighting was the heaviest. In carrying out her duties, she was exposed to mustard gas, which caused her to suffer years later. 

I believe that these women and my Aunt Louise gave not only the smell and taste of home cooking in a war zone, but also the spirit with which it was given that captured the hearts of our service men. It has been said that their secret was that the Salvationists were serving not only the soldiers but God. “At The Salvation Army hut the men could not only bring their uniforms to be mended; but they could also bring their problems to share. As buttons were sewed on, a brief message of hope was offered.” They became my heroes, and my Aunt Louise’s service was an inspiration in my own calling to serve the Lord through SA officership.

Louise Young went on to serve in the following corps appointments as a SA officer: Poughkeepsie, Cohoes, Albany and Glenn Falls, NY.

Sadly, she died at the age of 44, believed to be from lung disease from the mustard gas she was exposed to in France. General Evangeline Booth, who had stayed in touch with Louise after returning stateside, sent a telegram from London to the hospital in Glenn Falls, NY when she heard that Louise was hospitalized and near death: 

“Distressed beyond words. Heavenly Shepherd will be very near. You have waged wonderful warfare. Eternal love, General” – Jan 30, 1935

Although she never married, three of her siblings who looked up to her were also called to serve in The Salvation Army: Herb Young, Wilbur Young and Elsie Young Henderson. Additionally, the next three generations of the family were called to serve God as SA officers on the front lines of their communities.  

Along with my other relatives, I am both proud of her service and humbled to serve and stand on the shoulders of those who have passed the baton of service in the Lord’s Army.

Photographs courtesy of the Young family