- First Name(s):JohnR
- Surname:YOUELL
- Service Number:1877562
- Rank:
Sapper
- Conflict:WW2
- Service:Army
- Army Sector:Engineers
- Corps:Corps of Royal Engineers
- Regiment:Royal Engineers
- Unit:591 Parachute Squadron
- Former Units:None
- Date of Death:6th June 1944
- Age At Death:20
- Place of Death:Unknown
- Place of Burial:Ranville War Cemetery, France, Collective Grave VA. D. 3-8.
- Place of Birth:Unknown
- Home Town:Unknown
- Casualty's Relatives:
Son of Walter John and Maude Beatrice Youell, of Sparkhill, Birmingham
YOUELL John R Is Named On These Memorials
Further Information About YOUELL John R
Additional information on the memorial: Spr Royal Engineers
A letter from the Reverend W.L. Gutch, St Peter’s, Cookley, Kidderminster dated 5th May 1950 can be found within war records held at Worcestershire Archives requesting that John R. Youell, Sapper Royal Engineers, be added to the county roll of honour.
The following information has been researched by and is courtesy of John Barry:
1939 Register
Austcliffe Road, Kidderminster
Maude B Youell, married, born 31st January 1899, Unpaid domestic duties
The next 5 records are officially closed
On the night of 5th/6th June 1944, the residents and staff of the Château were aware that an invasion was taking place soon after the first wave of aircraft crossed the coast of Normandy. The aircraft were flying at a much lower altitude that they usually witnessed. Also on the Château estate at this time was a German military unit charged with looking after their regiment’s horses in the stables at the Château. They had been making use of the facilities for several months. The German soldiers did not live in the Château, but camped in slit trenches and tents near to the stables. They had use of one of the servant’s quarters as their kitchen. The remaining estate servants either lived in the Château itself or in estate cottages.
In the early hours of D-day, the Château de Grangues park and neighbouring fields were hit by 6 crashing British aircraft. Two Stirlings, 3 Horsa Gliders which were identifiable and a 4th Horsa which had no chalk mark but bore the aircraft makers number B&P728. Two of the Horsas landed on top of mature fir tree woods. This accounts for the high injury statistics from shattered leg bones. Weighed down with kit, many of the troops had fallen or dropped to the ground from the tree canopy. At least one unfortunate casualty had become entangled in branches and was not recovered for some time. His remains were interred in the Château grounds as ‘unidentified’.
Birmingham Mail 10th October 1944:
YOUELL – John (Para. Squad. R.E.), previously missing June, now presumed killed 20th birthday, eldest son of Mr and Mrs J. Youell, 107 Ivor Road, Sparkhill, grateful for any news. Not just to-day, but every day, In silence we remember – Mum, dad, sisters, brothers, granny, grand-dad, aunties and uncles. Still hoping.