Willie Doyle

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Father Willie Doyle (1873 - August 16, 1917) was a native of Dalkey Ireland and the youngest of seven children. He was an ordained Jesuit priest.

[edit] Service in 1914 - 1918 war

Fr Doyle enlisted as a chaplain shortly after the outbreak of the First World War and served in:

8th Royal Irish Fusilers
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
9th Royal Dublin Fusiliers
6th Royal Irish Rifles
7th Royal Irish Rifles

He participated in the Battles of the Somme, Battle of Messines and Battle of Ypres.

[edit] Bravery commended

General Hickie the commander-in-chief of the 16th (Irish) Division described Doyle's as one of the bravest men who fought or served out here.

He was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery during the assault on the village of Ginchy. He was recommended for a posthumous Victoria Cross the day he was killed at Ypres alongside the 16th Division (Nationalist) and 36th Ulster Division who suffered heavy losses. Fr Doyle's body was never recovered.