Willie Doyle

Father Willie Doyle, S.J., MC (3 March 1873 – 16 August 1917) {William Joseph Gabriel Doyle was his full baptismal name) was a native of Dalkey, Ireland and the youngest of seven children. He was educated at Ratcliffe College, Leicester. He entered the Jesuit Novitiate at the age of 18 after reading St. Alphonsus’ book “Instructions and Consideration on the Religious State” and was an ordained Jesuit priest. Soon after his ordination in 1907, his superiors appointed him on the mission staff for five years. From 1908 to 1915, he gave no less than 152 missions and retreats. His fame as preacher, confessor and spiritual director spread wide and far, and he had "a special gift to hunt out the most hardened and neglected sinners and to bring them back with him to the church for confession". He served in the Army Chaplains' Department of the British Army during World War I. He was finally appointed during World War I chaplain of the 16th Irish Division. Having fulfilled his priestly duties in an outstanding fashion for almost two years, he was killed in the Battle of Passchendaele on 16 August 1917, having run “all day hither and thither over the battlefield like an angel of mercy.” This good shepherd truly gave his life for his sheep.

He was killed in action.

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 Fusiliers
 * 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 Passchendaele.

Bravery commended
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. ''

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 the Battle of Passchendaele alongside the 16th Division and the 36th Ulster Division, which both suffered heavy losses. Fr Doyle's body was never recovered.