Sgt. Nathanel Young, 20: British-born lone soldier was a talented DJ
Killed battling Hamas terrorists at the Yiftah military outpost next to Zikim on October 7
Sgt. Nathanel Young, 20, a lone soldier from the United Kingdom serving in the Golani Brigade’s 13th Battalion, was killed in action on October 7 at the Yiftah IDF outpost next to Zikim.
He is survived by his parents, Chantal and Nicky, and his older siblings Gaby, Eliot, Daniel and Miriam.
Young emigrated to Israel two years ago to join the Israeli Defense Forces. The youngest of five siblings – three of whom live in Israel – he was a former student at JFS, a Jewish school in Kenton, north London.
His sister Gaby told LBC radio that in his actions on October 7, “We understood from a few people that he saved lives, that he saved a kibbutz from being infiltrated by terrorists. That is a heroic action.”
His brother, Eliot, told Sky News, “Nathanel always had strong Jewish pride. From a young age he has always wanted to play an important role in defending his country — it’s something he talked about a lot.”
Eliot added that “Nathanel was also a bubbly guy who my two little daughters loved playing with and were always so excited to visit. When Nathanel could have taken his days off to sleep and re-energize, he instead found out where we were, which wasn’t always so close to him, and came to join us.”
At his funeral at Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem on October 9, Eliot eulogized his younger brother: “Nat said, from the age of 10 or 11, that he wanted to serve in the IDF and protect Israel. He had such a deep connection to the country.”
His sister Gaby also paid tribute to him: “He arrived and managed to continue to follow his passions by dog-sitting, working out on the beach, getting a job as a DJ at one of Tel Aviv’s most famous clubs, and joining the IDF. He found true happiness in Israel and it was infectious. His selfless kindness was so rare, and I aspire to be as kind as him.”
In the middle of the funeral, blaring rocket sirens interrupted the service, as the Iron Dome air defense system could be heard intercepting rockets from on high. The funeral continued after the sirens ceased.
Hundreds turned out to pay their respects to Young, most of whom did not know him personally, including Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion.
Col. Yoav Mordechai, former commander of the Jerusalem Brigade, addressed the mourning Young family at the funeral: “Be proud of Netanel, he was a hero. We, the Golani Brigade, are your family, now and forever. You will forever be a part of the Golani Brigade.”
Shortly after the one-week mourning period, Young’s parents, Chantel and Nicky, followed in their children’s footsteps and moved to Israel.
“We need to be in the place where our son is, in the country that he fought for,” they said in a statement. “Nathanel realized his dream to protect the State of Israel with bravery and determination. We are all so proud of him and miss him so.”