Mystery over First World War medals
Mystery over First World War medals
An extraordinary discovery has been made for the Sydney family of a World War One pilot.
He earned one of the Commonwealth's most prestigious military medals not once, but three times.
Now it has surfaced in New Zealand, solving one mystery while creating others.
Alfred Youdale flew in the First World War, his aerial antics were exciting but risky.
Flight Commander Youdale's bravery earned him the prestigious military cross three times.
Tragically, he didn’t live long to enjoy the recognition.
“He was actually shot out of the sky nine times, eight times of which he was able to write about,” said his great nephew Phil Youdale.
“The ninth time he was killed in action three days before Christmas.”
His family thought his medals were in a London museum but nearly a century later a Military Cross with two bars was found among medals gathering dust in a New Zealand club.
The name had been scratched off, but Peter Roberts, of the Eussell Retired Service Association, tracked down the Australian and his family, who were invited to New Zealand for a memorial service.
Mr Roberts said: “Very disrespectful to the men that wore them and the families that gave them to us and we decided it was time we did something about them."
With one mystery solved, two now remain; the first is just who scratched Alf Youdale's name from his medal, and secondly where is the Australian airman's final resting place.
“His remains were never found,” added his great newphew. “His remains are still out there somewhere over France or Belgium.”
His medals will remain in New Zealand.
