Three: Corporal J. M. Yule, 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, who was killed in action in the assault on Chemin des Dames, on the Aisne River, on 14 September 1914

1914 Star, with copy clasp (8955. Cpl. J. Yule. Cam’n: Highrs); British War and Victory Medals (8955 Cpl. J. Yule. Cam’n Highrs.) very fine (3) £200-£240

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Barry Hobbs Collection of Great War Medals.

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John Mackie Yule was born at Montrose, Forfarshire and attested for the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders at Dundee in 1903. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, arriving at Havre on 14 August 1914 with the original British Expeditionary Force.

Deployed to serve as Army Troops attached to General Headquarters, Headquarters 1st Army and Headquarters 2nd Army, Yule’s battalion took part in the Retreat from Mons in this capacity. Relieved from duties with the General Headquarters in early September, it became part of 1st Brigade, 1st Division and engaged the enemy at the Marne and the Aisne, moving forward through Moulins and Vendresse on 14 September and taking part in the attack along the Chivy Valley towards the German positions at the Chemin des Dames. After heavy fighting the battalion moved back and entrenched in woods above Vendresse. The casualties on 14 September were: 9 officers killed, 8 officers wounded, 151 other ranks killed (including Corporal Yule) or died of wounds and many more wounded.

Private Ross Tollerton, of the same battalion, was awarded the V.C. for conspicuous bravery on this day:
‘On 14 September 1914 at the First Battle of the Aisne, France, Private Tollerton carried a wounded officer (Lieutenant J. S. M. Matheson), under heavy fire, as far as he was able, into a place of greater safety. Then, although he himself was wounded in the head and hand, he struggled back to the firing line where he remained until his battalion retired. He then returned to the wounded officer and stayed with him for three days until they were both rescued.’

Corporal Yule was the son of Stuart and Jessie Wood Yule, of 76, James St., Dundee and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, France.