Willie Doyle

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Father Willie Doyle, S.J., MC or William Joseph Gabriel Doyle (3 March 1873 - 16 August 1917), was an Irish Jesuit priest who was killed in action during the First World War.

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Early life

Doyle was born in Dalkey, Ireland and the youngest of seven children of Hugh and Christine Doyle (née Byrne). He was educated at Ratcliffe College, Leicester. After reading St. Alphonsus' book Instructions and Consideration on the Religious State he was inspired to enter the priesthood and was an ordained Jesuit priest in 1907. He served for five years on the mission staff.

Maps Willie Doyle

Service World War I

Doyle served in the Army Chaplains' Department of the British Army during World War I, appointed as a chaplain to 48 Brigade of the 16th Irish Division. During the Battle of Loos Doyle was caught in a German gas attack and for his conduct was mentioned in dispatches. A recommendation for a Military Cross was rejected as "he had not been long enough at the front". Doyle was presented with the parchment of merit of the 49th (Irish) Brigade instead. He was killed in the Battle of Langemarck, on 16 August 1917.

A stained glass window dedicated to his memory is present in St Finnian's Church, Dromin, Co Louth Ireland.

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Awards

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

Doyle was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery during the assault on the village of Ginchy. He was recommended for a posthumous Victoria Cross and Distinguished Service Order but was awarded neither. Fr Doyle's body was never recovered but he is commemorated at Tyne Cot Memorial.

Doyle was proposed for canonisation in 1938, but this was not followed through. His papers can be found in the Jesuit archives, Leeson Street, Dublin.