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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 326

The campaign group of five awarded to Squadron Leader A. M. Yuile, Royal Canadian Air Force, one of 'The Few of The Few' - a Canuck to fly in the Battle of Britain - Yuile gave gallant service and certainly had an action-packed 1940

He baled out on 1 September, claimed a He111 destroyed on 11 September, was wounded in action on 15 September and damaged a Dornier on 27 September

1939-45 Star, clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe Star; Pacific Star; Canadian Service Medal, with Overseas Service clasp; War Medal 1939-45, these last two Canadian issues in silver, mounted as worn, good very fine (5)

Acquired from the family circa 2008, never having appeared on the open market.

Approximately 117 Canadians flew in the Battle of Britain, out of a total of 2,962 airmen.

Arthur McLeod Yuile - or 'Art' to his friends and comrades - was born on 6 June 1917 at Montreal and was a student upon the outbreak of the Second World War. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force on 15 September 1939 and joined No. 115 (Fighter) Squadron. Continuing his flying training, he joined No. 1 Squadron at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and was embarked for Britain in June 1940.

His Diary gives insight of the young Officer on the loose in London, with an entry for 28 June recalling:

'Beautiful day - packed up and took the train from Andover to London for four days. Arrived about 1100hrs & took our things to the Mount Royal Hotel where I roomed with Carl Bruise. Went over to the Cumberland Bar and after to the bank & shopped. We met in the afternoon at the Picadilly Hotel and thence to a 'bottle-party' at a clip-joint called 'De Butts' where we danced with the hostesses & stayed up till 4am.'

Training at Middle Wallop and Croydon, the unit were to begin operating out of Northolt from 17 August 1940, a little over a month of the official start of the Battle of Britain. His entry for that day continues:

'A beautiful day - Sqdn went on 'available' at 0900hrs and we all sat on our bums all day in our Pilots room. There was practically no enemy action all day - it is believed they are massing A/C on the French coast for a real 'Blitz'. We got ourselves properly settled here & unpacked. Went to bed early as I was to be available at 0400hrs in the morning.'

His Diary gives strong detail on the actions and emotions during the period and the entry for 1 September is worthy of note:

'A cloudy day & hot. Slept in and had breakfast in bed, driving out in Erik's car for lunch. Found out that Paul had been shot down Sat afternoon and that our boys had got a few Tom & Bev each getting a Me109 confirmed with a few others destroyed.

Right after lunch we came to readiness and were sent up on an interceptor about 1330hrs. After about ten minutes climbing we sighted the enemy and delivered a climbing head on attack on a big flock of Dornier 215 bombers. From about 1000yds he opened fire on me and the tracer bullets were like running into a snowstorm. I opened fire about 500yds and after a burst of several seconds I got hit in the engine. Oil covered everything, smoke poured from the floor. I broke away downwards & looked for an airport when suddenly the engine gave out & smoke became worse, so I rolled her over and fell out - made a safe landing near Seven Oaks by parachute two hours later I was in the air again being flown back from East Malling aerodrome in a Lysander. Was given lots of drinks by everyone that evening but went to bed very tired at nine. Kirwin also was shot down he got 2 confirmed.'

11 September would present the opportunity for Yuile to get his account up and running. His Diary again:

'...Were at 15 mins & 30 mins 'available' all day. At 1530hrs we were rushed to readiness & off the ground in about ten min, being sent to patrol Henley. While we were 'orbitting' a flight of Hurricanes flew into us and we thinking they were Me's, broke up somewhat I lost the Sqdn - but managed to join up with another Hurricane and we rushed off to intercept a big flock of bombers on their way home. On our way we ran across a lone Ju52 which was already being attacked by two fighters, we waited our turn and came in from astern. I don't know what happened to the others, but after breaking away came in again from ahead & above. Then again from behind and I was at last rewarded to see one wheel fall off & smoke coming from one of the gas tanks. It did a wing over, dove straight for the ground exploding when it hit. There were at least a doz parachutes floating down and more must have been killed inside. I only got hit one bullet way out on my wing tip which did no damage.

Being almost out of ammunition I flew home alone. The others flew home in ones and twos - being welcomed by Air Commodore Walsh who had just arrived. Two were missing, who we heard about in an hour. Tom Little, baled out, wounded in the leg & burned on the face. And Pete Lochman who force landed on the coast safely - Tom is at Tunbridge Wells, where all the fighting took place. Shortly after we were sent up again to patrol base - but saw nothing. Gord Meg and the CO each got one in the first show. Went to the 'Orchard' in Ruislip with Eric in the evening but as there was nothing doing returned home early - London heavily bombed.'

It was rather fitting that on the 1st Anniversary of his joining the Royal Canadian Air Force, Yuile was wounded in action:

'...We were all sent up again (without lunch). We climbed up to 20,000 & headed towards London where several formations of enemy bombers and alot of A.A. fire. I happened to be 'Ass-end Charlie' and even though we were doing plenty of looking around & our searches were up above - a Messerschmit got on my tail & pumped in one short 'sweet' burst.

There was a feeling as of a sledgehammer hitting my right shoulder and I thought they had got me. However I did a quick half-roll left & dove away, doing aileron turns down to about six thousand feet, where I levelled out and looked about. The machine seemed to be flying as well as ever and my right arm was a bit numb.

Not knowing how badly I had been hit I decided to land, so went down below the clouds, found I was over Biggin Hill. I didn't feel too bad so decided to head home called up on the radio & told them to get the ambulance. There was quite a welcome committee & they rushed me up to the hospital where they picked around for a bit, only getting out one piece & leaving another in.

Then with a clean shirt & my arm in a sling I went down to dispersal to await the arrival of the others. They had done very well & had a total of five destroyed with several damaged. Everyone got home.'

Back in the air, he scored another damaged on 27 September. Remaining with No. 1 Squadron until February 1941, he thence transferred to No. 118 and 126 Squadron. Yuile assumed command of No. 118 Squadron in February 1943. He was duly awarded two Gold Wound Stripes (DRO39) in March 1944 and his Operational Wings in 'Recognition of Gallant Services' (AFRO1380) in June 1944, whilst his Pacific Star is confirmed upon his Service Award Card. Yuile was twice tried by General Court Martial and was transferred to the Reserve at Ottawa on 13 September 1944.

Sold together with the following items:

(i)
His Royal Air Force Identity Card (Form 1250) No. 377936.

(ii)
His cloth Wings, Operational Service Wings, silver-gilt, by Birks, and his 'CANADA' shoulder titles.

(iii)
'B' Flight, No. 1 Squadron, Battle of Britain Squadron collage photograph, together with No. Squadron 1940 card.

(iv)
A copy of his Battle of Britain diary, covering the period 8 June-21 September 1940, together with his copied Service Record and a copy of The RCAF Overseas.

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Sold for
£5,200

Starting price
£3800