Memorial of Fr WJ Doyle
This memorial to Fr Doyle, a piece of his uniform, commemorates a much loved padre who died at Ypres. Because they worked so close to the fighting, many chaplains died in the line of duty: in total, 172 British Army chaplains were killed or later died from their wounds in the war. Father William Doyle SJ, from Dublin, was ordained in 1907 and was appointed chaplain to the 16th (Irish) Division in November 1915. Fr Doyle spent much of his time at the front lines, frequently going ‘over the top’ to help injured and dying men. His bravery was a source of inspiration to many and his good humour and generosity made him an extremely popular figure. Fr Doyle was killed in shell-fire while tending to wounded men during the Third Battle of Ypres on 16 August 1917. After his death, many of William Doyle’s wartime letters were published in a biography by Alfred O’Rahilly. Fr Doyle’s letters paint a bleak picture of life in the trenches and give us an insight into the many roles – and challenges – of the army chaplain. Despite his reputation for seeming fearless, Fr Doyle in his letters admits to feelings of terror behind the brave front he presented to the men.
CONTRIBUTOR
Susan McCarrick
DATE
1917
LANGUAGE
eng
ITEMS
1
INSTITUTION
Europeana 1914-1918
PROGRESS
METADATA
Discover Similar Stories
Memorial for Rev W Doyle SJ
1 Item
Memorial for Fr WJ Doyle, who died at Ypres in 1917 || Belonged to my grandfather Patrick Joseph Morrin who fought in the 1914-18 War, who must have known the Chaplain. Because they worked so close to the fighting, many chaplains died in the line of duty: in total, 172 British Army chaplains were killed or later died from their wounds in the war. Father William Doyle SJ, from Dublin, was ordained in 1907 and was appointed chaplain to the 16th (Irish) Division in November 1915. Fr Doyle spent much of his time at the front lines, frequently going ‘over the top’ to help injured and dying men. His bravery was a source of inspiration to many and his good humour and generosity made him an extremely popular figure. Fr Doyle was killed in shell-fire while tending to wounded men during the Third Battle of Ypres on 16 August 1917.
WJ Connolly
2 Items
Post card with photograph of young woman, addressed to to William Connolly in Co. Dublin, with a forwarding address in France added in a different hand. No date. || I recently came across a post card to Sergeant, WJ Connolly reg no 108721 which was in my family’s procession (he was a cousin) Sarg, Connolly served in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and was killed in action in 1918. I noticed a post from a Mr Liam Hartnett saying William Connolly was his great uncle, so I will put a picture of the card online so he can view and maybe get in touch with me if possible.
