LORD ASHCROFT’S “HERO OF THE MONTH” Temporary Second Lieutenant John Scott Youll VC
LORD”AESRHOC ORFO FT’S THE MONTH”
SKILL
AGGRESSION • BOLDNESS
INITIATIVE • LEADERSHIP
SACRIFICE • ENDURANCE
The many Victoria Crosses and George Crosses in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum in London are displayed under one of seven different qualities of bravery. Temporary Second Lieutenant John Scott Youll’s VC medal group is part of the collection, and Lord Ashcroft feels that it falls within the category of skill:
“Wisdom, sound judgement and technical knowledge are the hallmarks of Skill. It is about using resources to greatest effect usually under intense pressure. For many involved in bomb disposal, while a single movement might start the clock ticking, the puzzle still has to be solved, the game won. Perseverance is everything.”
JOHN SCOTT Youll was born in the mining village of Thornley, County Durham, on 6 June 1897. He was the younger son of Richard and Margaret Youll and he attended Thornley Council School in Wingate, County Durham. Known throughout his life as “Jack”, he left school at fifteen and became an apprentice electrician at Thornley Colliery.
On reaching military age, he volunteered a…
