The Irish standard., 1917-09-22
DEATH OF Brave
irish chaplain
Rev. William Doyle, S. j., Meets Hero
ic Fate Near Ypres-carries on His
Merciful Ministrations Under Thick
She'll Fire-Four Men Killed as He
kneit by Their Sides.

There can be no doubt that the gal
liant chaplain whose heroism has been
referred to by all the special war
correspondents at the front, during
the advance of the Irish troops north
east of Ypres on Friday last, was the
Rev. VIM. Doyle, S. ]. He was the son
of Hugh Doyle, Melrose, Dalkey, for
many years Registrar of the Dub
lin Bankruptcy Court and brother of
Very Rev. c. Doyle, S. j., rector, Linn
erick; and of Co. Court Judge R. F.
Doyle, Recorder OF Galway. Oficial
notification was received of Father
Doyle's death on Thursday morning,
and the news was everywhere re-
ceived with feelings of deep regret by
all who knew the gallant young clergy
man.
Professor and Missioner.
Father Doyle, who was in his 44th
year, received his early education at
Rathcliffe College, Leicester, and
joined the Jesuit Order in March,
1891. He also studied in Belgium for
some years. Ordained at Milltown
| Park by Most Rev. DR.. Walsh, he was
a Professor at Clongowes-Wood Col
lege for over eight years, and was
generally revered by the students for
erudition and charm Of manner. He
was a frequent contributor to the
Irish Messenger" on matters pertain
ing to the church. He translated the
life of the famous French Jesuit,
Father Ginghae, and wrote number
of other booklets which showed con-
siderable research and ability.
After leaving Clongowes he was
singled out for missionary work in
Ireland. In, this domain he again dis.
played outstanding qualities as a
pulpit orator won signal admiration
in all parts Of the country.
Chaplain to the Forces.
In Feb, 1916, he became Chaplain
to the Forces. When the Irish troops
advanced at Ginchy Father Doyle was
in the thick of the fighting ministering
to the wounded, and for conspicuous
bravery on the field on that occasion
was awarded the Military Cross
The story of his priestly devotion
in the advance at Zonnebeke River,
when he met his death while admins
tering the Last Sacrements to his
stricken countrymen, has been borne
testimony to alike by Northern
Orangemen and Catholic Nationalists,
and it is admitted by all who wit
messed his courage and indifference
to danger that his heroism will rank
among the great unselfish, self-sacri-
ficing deeds of the war
Correspondents Tributes.
Percival Phillips, the war cores
lpondent, referring to the manner OF
Father Doyle's death, said: "He went
forward and back over the battlefield
with bullets whining about him, seek.
ing out the dying and kneeling in the
mud beside them to give them Abso.
luton, walking with Death with a
smile on his face, watched by his men
with reverence and kind of awe un.
til a shell burst near him, and he was
killed."
Philip Giggs writes with equal
pathos: "All through the worst hours
an Irish Padre went about among
the dead and dying giving Absolution
to his boys. Once he came back to
headquarters. but he would not take
a bite Of food or stay, though his
friends urged him. Four
men were killed by shell-ire as he
knelt beside them, and he was not
touched-not touched until his own
turn came"
The foregoing are typical Of many
tributes paid to the heroism of the
deceased.