As Nick Young prepares to step down as Chair of MSMT after 20 years, Letitia Blake looks back at his achievements and relishes memories of adventures along the way 

Delving into our archive of Annual Reports, I found this sentence written by Nick Young in July 2005, following the announcement of Brian Lett’s resignation as chairman: 

“At their last meeting, the other Trustees asked me to act as Chairman, until such time as a permanent successor to Brian can be appointed (hopefully soon!) and of course I agreed to do so.” 

Well, Nick, thank you for doing so – and staying for the following 20 years! 

Where to begin? Nick brought with him a wealth of experience from previous careers in the legal and charity worlds. Indeed, he was chairing the Monte San Martino Trust while running the British Red Cross, evidence of his enormous energy and verve.  

However, it was not just about his experience or capability, useful and impressive though these were: his heartfelt passion for the work and mission of the Trust was rooted in his profound gratitude to the Italians who had helped his father Leslie escape and survive, a story brilliantly researched and narrated in his 2019 book, Escaping with his Life. This personal connection led to his enduring friendship with Trust founder, Keith Killby, who appreciated greatly Nick’s ability to get things done and inspire others to get involved.  

Links with Italy 

Nick has guided MSMT through two decades of thriving expansion, building on the great work done by Brian Lett over the previous seven years. During his tenure we have established key partnerships in Italy, such as with the Parri network of historical institutes and the Casa della Memoria at Servigliano, while deepening our friendship with the municipality of Fontanellato. In the UK, we have struck a partnership with Cambridge University, which now holds our precious archive of PoW accounts and related books. 

 A highly successful fund-raising campaign headed by our indomitable and much-missed former trustee, the late Vanni Treves, has enabled us to implement our five-year strategy, increase our student numbers and expand our research activities in the UK, Italy and the USA. Nick has represented us at numerous events in Italy (commemorations at Fontanellato and Servigliano) and in the UK, fostering strong connections with the Italian embassy. In recent years, he set up a core group of working trustees to manage our activities as student numbers swelled and we developed our website and boosted our communications.  

Vino and gelato 

I became Secretary at around the same time as Nick took on the Chair role and we have been close companions on our Trust journey over the past two decades. It has been a privilege to get to know him, and his wonderful wife Helen, over the course of many adventures. In Italy we participated in Trails in Liguria and le Marche, laying wreaths at ceremonies to commemorate the brave Italians who helped our fathers. In the process we consumed many delicious meals and made Italian friends, with lots of simultaneous translation and laughter, aided greatly by plenty of vino and gelato! 

I will never forget, in May 2019, seeing Nick striding up the steep Monte San Martino streets ahead of a marching band in full uniform, on their way to the small square which was to be dedicated to Keith Killby in a moving ceremony – an emotional day for us all. In the UK, Nick spent several years trying to find a place for a permanent memorial to the Italian helpers, a goal he was determined to achieve, finally choosing, with invaluable assistance from Roger Stanton of the WW2 Escape Lines Memorial Society, a beautiful corner of the Eden Camp museum outside York. Anyone else would have given up but Nick is indefatigable. 

I call Nick “N.E.” which stands for Nauseatingly (good at) Everything – of course this is meant as a joke but as in most comedy there is much truth in it! He would deny it, being a modest man, but he has consistently brought all of his numerous abilities and visionary leadership skills to the Trust over all these years and the charity has flourished and grown with his steady hand at the helm. 

Booming laugh 

Aside from all his achievements and skills are his personal qualities – his passion, emotion, warmth, kindness, energy and enthusiasm. He inspires loyalty and affection wherever he goes and no Trust event is complete without his booming laugh and expansive hand gestures. He is a powerful communicator and connector – when he speaks about the Trust and its purpose, anyone listening, whether a long-time supporter or a newcomer, feels connected on a heart level to our compelling story and mission. He embodies the very spirit of the Trust.  

It has been a huge honour to work alongside you for all these years, Nick. I have learnt such a lot from you, but above all I have really enjoyed all of it (yes, even sorting out Keith’s endless piles of papers!) 

In Nick’s Chairman’s Report of 2006 I found this appeal for volunteer help: “If you think you might have (just a little) time and energy to spare, do contact Letitia. It is actually a lot of fun!” And it really has been, Nick! All of us in the Trust owe you a huge debt of gratitude – THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for all the love and energy that you have poured into this organisation that we all care so much about, none more so than you. 

We know it is Arrivederci not Addio and that you will be continuing to support the cause in various ways in your inimitable style. But, for now, Grazie Mille for your huge contribution as Chair of the Monte San Martino Trust!