John Scott Youll
Second Lieutenant, 1st Battalion. Northumberland Fusiliers
- Register No.
- 1342 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Second Lieutenant (register: Lieutenant) all Second Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 1st Battalion. Northumberland Fusiliers all Northumberland Fusiliers VCs →
- Date of action
- 15 June 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 25th July 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 6th June 1897 at Thorncroft, Thornley, County Durham
- Died
- in action on 27th October 1918 during the crossing of the
- Memorial / grave
- at Giavera British Cemetery, Treviso, Italy
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
On the 15th in June 1918, Second Lieutenant Youll was commanding a patrol south-west of Asiago, Italy, when they came under heavy enemy fire. After ordering his men to return to safety, he remained to survey the situation. He found that he was unable to return to his company so he reported to another unit. Here he took command of several men, all from different units, and held the position against enemy attack until a machine-gun opened up on his rear. Rushing towards the gun, he killed most of the crew, captured the gun and opened fire: inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Lieutenant Youll then carried out three separate counter-attacks, each one resulting in the enemy being driven back
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
YOULL, John Scott. (reg No. 1342).
Second Lieutenant. 1st Battalion. Northumberland Fusiliers. * London Gazetted on 25th July 1918.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 6th June 1897 at Thorncroft, Thornley, County Durham.
Killed in action on 27th October 1918 during the crossing of the River Piave.
Memorial on grave at Giavera British Cemetery, Treviso, Italy.
Digest of Citation reads: On the 15th in June 1918, Second Lieutenant Youll was commanding a patrol south-west of Asiago, Italy, when they came under heavy enemy fire. After ordering his men to return to safety, he remained to survey the situation. He found that he was unable to return to his company so he reported to another unit. Here he took command of several men, all from different units, and held the position against enemy attack until a machine-gun opened up on his rear. Rushing towards the gun, he killed most of the crew, captured the gun and opened fire: inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Lieutenant Youll then carried out three separate counter-attacks, each one resulting in the enemy being driven back.
* Attached to the 11th Service Battalion.
Additional information:. Second Lieutenant Youll, was the younger son of Richard and Margaret Youll of Thorncroft, Thornley, County Durham. Educated at Thornley Council School, he attended technical classes at Wingate provided by the Durham County Council. He began work as an apprentice electrician at Thornley Colliery before joining the Army on the 1st July 1916 in the Royal Engineers. As a Sapper he did good service in the European War (WWI) and was recommended for a commission. He was posted to the Northumberland Fusiliers in June 1917, returning to France. He saw action at Polygon Wood where he was mentioned in despatches. The regiment had not had a VC since the Siege of Lucknow, India.
Additional information
Second Lieutenant Youll, was the younger son of Richard and Margaret Youll of Thorncroft, Thornley, County Durham. Educated at Thornley Council School, he attended technical classes at Wingate provided by the Durham County Council. He began work as an apprentice electrician at Thornley Colliery before joining the Army on the 1st July 1916 in the Royal Engineers. As a Sapper he did good service in the European War (WWI) and was recommended for a commission. He was posted to the Northumberland Fusiliers in June 1917, returning to France. He saw action at Polygon Wood where he was mentioned in despatches. The regiment had not had a VC since the Siege of Lucknow, India.
* Attached to the 11th Service Battalion.
River Piave.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Giavera British Cemetery, Treviso, Italy
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