1 My Facebook notifications for Fr Willie Doyle, Worshipper and Worshipped, tell me that up to half a dozen people a day have looked at the page in recent weeks, no doubt prompted by all the screenings of EWTN’s film Bravery Under Fire and Pat Kenny’s book “To Raise the Fallen.” 
2 Therefore, I will start posting on Facebook again about Fr Doyle, mainly his war writings and experiences, even though much of it has been posted there before. November was a significant month in his story and provides a framework to summarise the later stages of his life story
3 In November 1912 he went on a form of busman’s holiday, visiting Lourdes and other shrines at Tours, Angers and Lisieux, during a reconnaissance trip to inspect retreat houses for working men in France, Belgium and Holland:-
4 “I have come to the conclusion that I have earned a little holiday; for during the past two years I have given over sixty missions and retreats, almost continuously, and that begins to tell.”
5 November 1913 was a typical month as he continued his mission work and also found time to answer a high volume of correspondence, prompted by his success as a missioner. Typically he indicates that he has read a letter and offers advice and/or solace:-
6 “I can realise what huge disappointment the present trial must be to you, but as you say ‘God’s will before all things’ since He knows best ...
7 ... You must wait patiently till your ear is well and then we shall see what is best to be done. Please excuse this hasty line as I am busy with mission work.”
8 The following November, 3 months after Britain declared war on Germany, August 1914, Fr Doyle volunteered to become a military chaplain: “What I am going to tell you now may pain you. I have volunteered for the Front as a Military Chaplain, though perhaps I may never be sent.”
9 In fact “being sent” was a long time coming because it wasn’t until the following November that Fr Willie Doyle received and signed, on 15th November 1915, his appointment letter as Acting Chaplain engaged for duty with Expeditionary Force:-
10 “Received my appointment from the War Office as chaplain to the 16th Division. Fiat voluntary Tua.”
11 He joined the 16th (Irish) Division at the end of November 1915 at their training camp in England. This was his chance, finally, to champion the cause and spiritual well-being of ordinary working men on a daily basis.
12 Having served on the Western Front from early 1916, Fr Doyle enjoyed his second period of leave back home in Ireland in mid-November 1916.
13 His working life at the front had been characterised by never being very far from the battalion of men to which he was attached and, on occasion, other battalions too.
14 Major General William Hickie, commanding 16th (Irish) Division, had awarded him a Parchment of Merit for his brave work in the trenches during major German gas attacks in the Loos sector in April 1916.
15 In September 1916, at the Somme, he was to go on to perform other courageous acts which, taken with his actions at Loos, would win him a New Year’s Honours list Military Cross and Mention in Dispatches.
16 Fr Doyle signs off his letter of 30th November 1916 to his father, in which he had recounted his, uncomfortable at times, journey back to the front:-
17 “I am feeling all the better for my little trip and have begun to count the days till the next one, which, please God, will not be long coming round. Much love to everybody and heaps to your own dear self.”
18 Life continued as before, rotating with his men between front lines and billets behind (in his case with other officers in the convent at Locre) and he did have another period of leave the following March.
19 In July 1917 he worked with his men during the Battle of Messines and was commended again. But August 1917 was the fateful month in which he ultimately lost his life on the 16th day; again he was with his men in the front line.Two days beforehand he had written to his father:-
20 “I have told you all my escapes, dearest Father, because I think what I have written will give you the same confidence which I feel that my old armchair up in Heaven is not ready yet and I do not want you to be uneasy about me.”
21 On 18th November 1917 Major General William Hickie wrote to a friend in Dublin, Brigadier General Horace Kays, about Fr Doyle:-
22 “Father Doyle was one of the best priests I have ever met and one of the bravest men who have fought or worked out here ... He was recommended for the Victoria Cross by his C.O. by his Brigadier and by myself.....
23 .... Superior authority however has not granted it, and as no other posthumous reward is given, his name will I believe be mentioned in the Commander in Chief’s dispatch.”
24 The full letter can be read in my book, Worshipper and Worshipped, both in transcription and the photographed pages of the letter.
