Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of William and Elizabeth YULE

Private Robert O. Yule, one of a Richmond family who have  performed a noble and notable part in the war has been laid to his last bodily rest. He sleeps in a grave at Amiens. He was the third eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Yule, of 31 Gipps-street, and was a fine type of young man. Enlisting early in July, 1915, he went to Egypt with the 5th Reinforcements to the 22nd Battalion. He did not get as far as Gallipoli, but his battalion, with the 23rd and 24th, were the first to enter the trenches in France, and there he served continuously until catarrh and shell shock rendered him totally deaf. He was kept in hospital for two and a half months, but typical of Bob Yule-he forgot his own troubles. The hospital was short handed, and Bob Yule volunteered for and was accepted as an orderly. The affliction that came down upon him left him unfit for any further active service in the lines. The doctors ordered him to England, but Bob Yule was a sticker. He wanted to stay in France and serve the boys he loved until the whole job was over. A vacancy occurred in the Y.M.C.A. ranks, and Bob Yule got his transfer to it. For fourteen months he performed invaluable work, and soldiers who have come back will tell you that nothing was ever too much trouble for him.
His end came suddenly on April 14. He had, with another orderly, Gunner Tyson, just stepped out of a train at Amiens. A shell burst at their feet. Bob Yule and his friend were killed instantaneously. An extract from a letter received from his brother, Captain Jack Yule, this mail, serves to illustrate the quiet and heroic nature of the dead soldier:-"Tired, dusty and hot, men of the 6th Brigade were marching up preparatory to going into the trenches. Bob was superintending the issue of freshly made tea, which made the dry ration more palatable to the men's parched throats. Attending to the hungry at the canteen counter, and, later, unpacking the marquee which was to minister to their recreation, not bustling, but too busy to talk to me except between jobs. Not even the prospect of a yarn with me, his seldom-seen brother, could lure him from it till the boys were served. I can see him now as I write-the sun shining on that hut in that tiny village already fraught with bitter memories for many of the brave boys who went out there on the highest service for King and Country and never came that way again. Now, Bob, too, has joined the ranks unable to serve right through. I believe that he served even better by his quiet helpfulness to all who came his way." It was on April 15 that Captain Yule again had an opportunity to ride over to where his brother was stationed. He was informed that Mr. Faulkiner, the Y.M.C.A. secretary, was absent, and Captain Yule waited. In a few minutes Mr. Faulkiner returned. He told Captain Yule that he had just then come from burying Bob. Mr. Faulkiner, in expressing his sympathy, said he would mourn the loss of Private Yule as a brother. "He was a tower of help," he added. Capt. Chaplain Lamble wishes to add here a personal tribute to this Richmond hero who has gone to higher service. "I can confidently say that Private Bob Yule was easily the best known and best liked man in the brigade." Private Yule was, with his other two brothers, who are on active service, born in Richmond, and all were pupils of Central State School, where they scored notable scholastic successes. Two huge bookcases packed with first prizes dating practically from the infant classes to the highest grades, are cherished trophies in their parents' house. Private Yule was 38 years of age, and at the time of enlisting was the home missionary at Traralgon, and was studying with a view to entering the ministry.