Willie Doyle
William Joseph Gabriel Doyle, MC (3 March 1873 – 16 August 1917), better known as Willie Doyle, was an Irish Roman Catholic priest who was killed in action while serving as a military chaplain to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers during the First World War. Early life. Doyle was born in Dalkey, Ireland, 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, he initially studied at Clonliffe College before 1891 when  he entered St Stanislaus Tullabeg College, and was an ordained Jesuit priest in 1907. He served for five years on the mission staff. First World War. Doyle served in the Royal Army Chaplains' Department of the British Army during the First World War, appointed as a chaplain to the 48th 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. Legacy. General William Hickie, the commander-in-chief of the 16th (Irish) Division, described Father Doyle as "one of the bravest men who fought or served out here." Father Doyle's body was never recovered but he is commemorated at Tyne Cot Memorial. Father 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. A stained glass window dedicated to his memory is present  in St Finnian's Church, Dromin, County Louth, Ireland. Despite his troubled relationship with the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, Irish author and playwright Brendan Behan is known to have always felt a great admiration for Father William Doyle. He praised Father Doyle in his 1958 memoir "Borstal Boy". Also, Alfred O'Rahilly's biography of the fallen chaplain is known to have been one of Behan's favorite books. Irish folk singer Willie 'Liam' Clancy was named after him due to his mother's fondness for Doyle, although they never met. Decorations. Doyle was awarded the Military Cross for his  bravery during the assault on the village of Ginchy during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. He was also posthumously recommended for both the Victoria Cross and the Distinguished Service Order, but was awarded neither. According to Patrick Kenny, anti-Catholicism may have played a role in the British Army's decision not to grant Father Doyle both awards.