How Second-Lieutenant Youll Met His Death: A Glorious Example to His Men
Article from the Auckland Chronicle about Victoria Cross hero
Details of the gallant way in which Second-Lieut. John Youll, V.C., of the Northumberland Fusiliers, met his death in Italy on 27 October, have now been received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Youll, of Thorncroft, Thornley.
Chaplain E. G. Wells has written the following letter to Mr. Youll:
Dear Mr. Youll, – I want to offer you my deepest sympathy on the death of your brave boy, Lieut. Youll, of this battalion. He was a fine lad. I knew him well and loved him, and his loss is a sad blow to us all, and still more, I know to you. He was slightly wounded in the very difficult attack in which he had showed all those high qualities as a soldier that he possessed so fully. I had some lunch with him, and a happy, cheery talk at about him, and a happy, cheery talk at about noon, and he waited there, in the newly- captured trench, at my advice, because the passage of the river was being heavily shelled. Then I had to go forward, and he said good-bye. About 6 p.m. I returned to the river, and there I saw his body, laid on a stretcher, struck by a shell near the bridge. He was buried on 28 Oct. at a little British cemetery at Lovadina, on the West bank of the Piave, about ten miles from Treviso. Surely we may take comfort from the knowledge that God is mindful of his own, and He will not forsake them. May God help you to bear your loss. Again, assuring you of our heartfelt sympathy, I am, yours sincerely, E. G. Wells, Chaplain (C.of E.).
Mr Youll has received the following letter from Lieut. and A-Adjutant H.E. Cowling:-
Dear Mr. Youll. – It is with the greatest regret, and the offer of sympathy of the whole battalion, that I have to inform you of the death in action of your son, Sec.-Lieut, J. B. Youll, V.C. The battalion was ordered to attack on 17 Oct. with three objectives to take. Your son was wounded in the arm at the taking of the second objective, but was most unfortunately killed by a shell whilst on his way down to be evacuated. I very much regret the delay in informing you, but I have only just been able to get your address owing to the fact that the battalion has been moved since the action, following the Austrian retreat. I saw your son on his way down, and his last words to me were: “It’s all right Cowling; we’ve got them stone cold.” To assure you that we who knew him so well are sorry to lose so gallant a comrade and so true a friend is, I am sure, unnecessary. He was a glorious example to his men to the last – a simple, true and very gallant soldier. All the officers of his company except himself became casualties at the first objective. It may be some consolation to you to know that he was worshipped by his men, and respected by his brother-officers. Lt.-Col A.A. St. Hill, D.S.O, who commanded the battalion, and who was also unfortunately killed held a very high opinion of him. Particulars to his burial will be sent to you in due course by the padre, and his kit will be forwarded as soon as it is possible. Once more assuring you and yours of our deep sympathy in your great loss – a son who had won the highest military honour, – Believe me, yours very sincerely, H. E. Cowling.
Mr. and Mrs. Youll have received a large number of other letters of sympathy.
Date: 21-Nov-1918
Author: Auckland Chronicle
Reference: M61/43
Where to find this: Durham County Record Office
Contributed by Durham at War
