Martin Doyle

World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. A native of Ireland, he was gazetted for the award on January 28, 1919 for his actions as a company sergeant-major in the 1st Battalion, The Royal Munster Fusiliers, 16th (Irish) Division, British Army, on September 2, 1918 near Riencourt, France, during the Hundred Days Offensive in the final period of World War I. Born in New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland, he joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers of the British Army at age 15 and served in British India. After the outbreak of World War I in July 1914, he joined The Royal Munster Fusiliers and was sent to the Western Front in France, and participated in nearly all the major battles. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery on the 2nd September, 1918, near Riencourt, when as Acting Company Serjeant-Major, command of the company devolved upon him consequent on officer casualties. Observing that some of our men were surrounded by the enemy, he led a party to their assistance, and by skill and leadership worked his way along the trenches, killed several of the enemy and extricated the party, carrying back, under heavy fire, a wounded officer to a place of safety. Later, seeing a Tank in difficulties, he rushed forward under intense fire, routed the enemy who were attempting to get into it, and prevented the advance of another enemy party collecting for a further attack on the Tank. An enemy machine gun now opened on the Tank at close range, rendering it impossible to get the wounded away, whereupon C.S.M. Doyle, with great gallantry, rushed forward, and, single-handed, silenced the machine gun, capturing it with three prisoners. He then carried a wounded man to safety under very heavy fire. Later in the day, when the enemy counterattacked his position, he showed great power of command, driving back the enemy and capturing many prisoners. Throughout the whole of these operations C.S.M. Doyle set the very highest example to all ranks by his courage and total disregard of danger." In addition to the Victoria Cross, he received the Military Medal, the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal (1914-20), and the Victory Medal (1914-19). Following the end of the war, he returned to Ireland and joined the Irish Republican Army during the Irish War of Independence (January 1919 to July 1921). Later, during the Irish Civil War (June 1922 to May 1923) he served with the Irish Free State (National) Army and remained with them until his retirement in 1937. He died from poliomyelitis in Dublin, Ireland at the age of 49. (bio by: [fg.cgi?page=mr&MRid=47016546" target="_blank William Bjornstad)] Maintained by: Find A Grave Record added: Aug 08, 2003

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• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Mar 6 2018, 0:47:01 UTC