Photo by Bacon: 2nd Lieutenant John Scott Youll

Photo: Peter Wilding 2003 with thanks

Newcastle Journal Saturday 30/01/1918

Newcastle Journal Monday 19/08/1918

Shields Daily News Friday 06/09/1918

John Scott Youll, was born 6th June 1897 at 'Thorncroft', Thornley, Co. Durham. The youngest son of Richard, [pit heap weighman, and secretary of the Thornley insurance section of the Miners Permanent Relief Fund], and Margaret Youll. They had five children, Thomas William, Ann, (Annie married Richard Tully 1915), Jane, Mary and John. He was educated at the Thornley Council School, and also attended technical classes at Wingate.

He started working at Thornley Colliery in 1912, in the power station as an apprentice electrician.

He enlisted into the Royal Engineers on the 1st July 1916, into the Durham Territorials and trained in the UK.

He went to France in July 1916, and did excellent work as a sapper for six months that he was recommended for a commission in June 1917. He was gazetted a temporary 2nd Lieutenant in the Northumberland Fusiliers.

He was Mentioned in Despatches during fighting at Polygon Wood, near Ypres, by General Plumer on the 30th May 1918. He was also recommended for a Military Cross for attending wounded men in a six hour terrible shell fire barrage.

John was attached to the 11th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, who where transferred from the Western Front to the Italian Front in October 1917.

The following deed took place at the battle of Asiago for which he was awarded the V.C.

On the 15th June 1918 south west of Asiago, Italy, Second Lieutenant Youll was commanding a patrol which came under heavy enemy fire. Sending his men back to safety he remained to watch the situation and then, unable to re-join his company, he reported to a neighbouring unit where he took command of a party of men from different units, holding his position against enemy attack until a machine-gun opened fire behind him. He rushed and captured the gun, killing most of the team and opened fire, inflicting heavy casualties. He then carried out three separate counterattacks, driving the enemy back each time.

He was presented with the V.C. on the 4th September by King George V at Buckingham Palace. He was accompanied by his younger sister Mary Youll.

He was also the holder of the Italian Silver Medal of Military Valor and Star, his father received this medal in July 1918 after 2nd Lieutenant Youll had received the medal from the King of Italy. Gazetted 29th November 1918.

The Thornley Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial and Welcome Home Committee at a meeting on the 25th July 1918 decided to make a house-to-house collection for a presentation to 2nd Lieut Youll.

There was an enthusiastic gathering at the Hippodrome Theatre, Thornley on Tuesday 10th September 1918 for 2nd Lieutenant John S. Youll to be publicly honoured in recognition of gaining the V.C. The testimonial had been organised by the Thornley Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial and Welcome Home Committee, appointed sometime ago to make arrangements and raise funds for a Memorial.

The Testimonial took the form of a handsome gold watch and chain and a large silver cigarette case.

Mr J.B. Forster of the Weardale Coal Company presided at the presentation, Captain J.E. Rogerson, Chairman of the Weardale Coal Company handed over the gifts.

Lieut Youll made a modest reply.

Mr D. Hagen, Youll's old headmaster referred with pride the fact that he had been closely associated with him in days gone by.

Jack Youll was killed in action during the battle of Vittorio Veneto, Italy, whilst crossing the River Piave on the 27th October 1918. He is buried at Giavera British Cemetery, Treviso province.

An extract form the London Gazette 25/07/1918, records the following:- For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during enemy attacks when in command of a patrol, which came under hostile barrage. Sending his men back to safety, he remained to observe the situation. Unable subsequently to re-join his company, Second Lieut. Youll reported to a neighbouring unit, and when the enemy attacked he maintained his position with several men of different units until the troops on his left had given way and an enemy machine gun had opened fire from behind him. He rushed the gun, and, having killed most of the team, opened fire on the enemy with the captured gun, inflicting heavy casualties. Then, finding that the enemy had gained a footing in a portion of the front line, he organised and carried out with a few men three separate counter-attacks. On each occasion he drove back the enemy, but was unable to maintain his position by reason of reverse fire. Throughout the fighting his complete disregard of personal safety and very gallant leading set a magnificent example to all.

Newcastle Journal Thursday 21/11/1918.

Proposed War Memorial.- The Thornley Parish Council have decided to apply to the War Trophies Committee for a gun to commemorate the death in action of Second-Lieut. J.S. Youll, V.C., and the other Thornley men who have fallen in the war. The suggestion was made that if the gun is obtained it might be erected on a granite pillar in the market place, and that on the pillar the names of the fallen Thornley men might be inscribed.

The Response, the occasional newsletter of the Northumberland and Durham Branch of the Western Front Association No.1 New series January 1995 carries a report by Jim Winter on 2nd Lieut. John Scott Youll, V.C.

In 2005, his home village of Thornley unveiled a memorial in his honour. The four faces of the memorial briefly detail his life, Army career and his Victoria Cross citation.

John Scott Youll is remembered in Thornley on T54.01, T54.02, T54.03, T54.06 and T54.10 and in the Battalion History page 9.

Memorial to Valour
2nd Lt. John Scott Youll
British Empire website
The CWGC entry for 2nd Lieutenant Youll