Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Sapper John Youell, 591 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers, who was killed in action on 6 June 1944

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, together with Royal Engineers cap badge and named condolence slip (Sapper J. Youell) good very fine (4) £400-£500

Sapper John Youell, 591 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers, was killed in action on 6 June 1944, when the Sterling IV aircraft he was flying in was shot down by flak on its way to the drop zone.

On the night of 5/6 June 1944, Sterling IV EF295-J of 620 Squadron, R.A.F., took off from Fairford to drop Royal Engineers paratroops on D-Day The aircraft was carrying the officer commanding 591 Parachute Squadron R.E. and his H.Q. party. Shortly after crossing the coast it was hit by enemy A.A. fire, caught fire and began to lose height rapidly. Major Wood, Lieutenant Bartlett and two sappers were able to jump from the aircraft but another soldier was killed when his parachute caught fire. The remainder of the stick were still aboard the aircraft, as were the crew, when it crashed at Chateau de Granguesn, 20 km east of Caen and 13 km east of their appointed drop zone. Lieutenant Shinner and three soldiers escaped from the downed aircraft, as did the wireless operator and rear gunner, and despite their own injuries attempted to rescue the others. Unfortunately, enemy troops arrived and fired into the aircraft and it became impossible to continue the rescue attempt. 10 paratroopers survived the crash but 7 of these soldiers were later shot. Sapper John Youell in named in the list of eleven soldiers who either died in the crash or were executed while POWs. He is buried in Ranville War Cemetery, aged 20, the son of Walter John and Maude Beatrice Youell, of Sparkhill, Birmingham.