The Airmen's Stories - F/O A McL Yuile

Arthur McLeod Yuile was born in Montreal, Canada on 6th June 1917 and joined 115 (Auxiliary) Fighter Squadron there on 15th September 1939 for training. He soloed on the 23rd.

From February to May 1940 Yuile carried out his intermediate and advanced training at Camp Borden and later Trenton.

In early June he joined No. 1 (RCAF) Squadron at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia for embarkation. It arrived in the UK on the 20th and underwent operational training, firstly at Middle Wallop and then Croydon, before being declared operational at Northolt on 17th August.

Yuile was shot down in an action with Do17s on 1st September and baled out, unhurt. His Hurricane, R4171, crashed near West Malling.

He claimed a He111 destroyed on the 11th and on the 15th he returned to Northolt with his Hurricane, L1973, severely damaged after a combat with Me109s and He111s south of London. Yuile was wounded in the shoulder. Fit gain, he damaged a Do17 on the 27th.

He served with the squadron until mid-February 1941 when he was repatriated to Canada. Yuile joined 118 (RCAF) Squadron at Rockcliffe, Ottawa. On 27th April 1942 he took command of 126 (RCAF) Squadron at Dartmouth, engaged in the east coast defence role. Yuile returned to 118 Squadron on 15th June 1942 to take command.

The squadron went 4000 miles across Canada to Annette Island, Alaska, where it formed part of the force protecting the Canadian railhead port of Prince Rupert.

On 27th February 1943 Yuile was posted to HQ Western Air Command, Vancouver, as liaison between the growing numbers of fighter squadrons and the Operations Rooms, which were predominantly managing bomber and reconnaissance units.

In May he moved to HQ 2 Group Victoria, British Columbia as Fighter Operations Staff Officer. Yuile returned to HQ Western Air Command in November 1943 as Senior Fighter Staff Officer.

In February 1944 he was posted to command No. 1 Flight Engineers School at Arnprior, Ontario.

Yuile resigned his commission on 13th September 1944 to complete his studies at McGill University. He graduated in May 1945 and emigrated to the USA in April 1963.

He died on 3rd August 1990.