Edward Courtney Boyle

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For other persons named Edward Boyle, see Edward Boyle (disambiguation).

(Gallaher Cigarette Cards)

Cdr. Boyle aboard E14.

Edward Courtney Boyle VC (March 23, 1883 - December 16, 1967), was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Educated at Cheltenham College, he was 32 years old, and a Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Navy during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 27 April 1915 in the Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles, Turkey, Lieutenant-Commander Boyle, in command of submarine E14, dived his vessel under the enemy minefields and in spite of great navigational difficulties from strong currents and the presence of hostile patrols waiting to attack, he continued, during the next two weeks, to operate in the narrow waters of the straits and succeeded in sinking two Turkish gunboats and one military transport.

Boyle made at least two more tours of the Sea of Marmara aboard E14 during the Battle of Gallipoli. He later achieved the rank of Rear-Admiral.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum (Gosport, Hampshire, England).