William Joseph Gabriel Doyle
Chaplain
[August 16, 1917]
Biography at Wikipedia
William "Willie" Doyle was an Irish Roman Catholic Priest who volunteered to serve with the Royal Army Chaplains Department in World War I. He was assigned as the Battalion Chaplain of the 8th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, 16th Irish Division. He was cited for conspicuous bravery on several occasions and fell "while administering last sacraments to his stricken countrymen" on 16 August 1917 at the battle of Langemarck. His command recommended him for the Military Cross twice and the Victoria Cross posthumously. His remains were never recovered.
Note:
In August 2022, the Father Willie Doyle Association was established to petition the Catholic Church to
introduce a cause for canonisation for Doyle. In January 2022 the Supplex Libellus, the formal petition,
was presented to Bishop Thomas Deenihan. Having consulted with the Irish Bishops' Conference and the
Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Deenihan issued an edict on 27 October announcing the opening of a cause.
The Opening Session took place on 20 November 2022 at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar.
[Brigadier William Hickie, Commander in Chief, 16th (Irish) Division]