Photo: Derek Haynes

Derek Haynes has provided the following:

Patrick was born 25th October 1870, the son of James & Mary Doyle (nee Kelly) in Ballybricken, Waterford on the south east coast of Ireland.

It is known that Patrick had a brother John; he was named on Patrick’s service records as next of kin after his father James died.

Very little is known of Patrick’s early life in Ireland but, when aged 18 years, he enlisted into the Royal Artillery at Fort Westmoreland, Cork Harbour, Ireland on the 21st July 1888. This was for 7 years' Army Service and 5 years' Reserve. He was given the service number 67866. His medical assessment gave his height as 5ft. 8¼ inches, his weight as 132lbs and a chest measurement of 35½ inches. Patrick was described as being of fresh complexion, having grey eyes and brown hair; he also gave his religious denomination which was Roman Catholic. It was also noted by the doctor that he had a scar on his left cheek as well as a mole 3 inches above his left heel on the outside of the foot. Asked if he had ever served in Her Majesty’s Army Robert replied he had served 3 years in the 6th Brigade S. I. Division, Royal Artillery.

The following are details from Patrick’s Military Sheet of where he served during his time with the Royal Artillery.

Home duties: 21st July 1888 to 31st October 1893
Gibraltar: 1st November 1893 to 28th March 1896
Home 29th March 1896 to 18th November 1901
Bermuda 19th November 1901 to 2nd December 1903
Jamaica 3rd December 1903 to 15th October 1907
St. Lucia 16th October 1907 to 27th July 1908
Home 28th July 1908 to 19th July 1909

Having completed his time, on the 19th July 1909 at Weymouth, Patrick was discharged from the Army. As for his conduct his record states though “Indifferent addicted to drink” he was a “hard working and efficient Gunner.” He had also been employed in the Officers and Sergeants messes as a Cook.

Where Patrick went after being discharged I have been unable to find out, but three months after the outbreak of WW1 we find him enlisting into the Royal Garrison Artillery on the 7th October 1914. He joined his regiment the next day at Newhaven as a Gunner and given the service number 4025. On enlisting he gave his age as 43 years 345 days and his occupation as a Ship’s Fireman.

Promotions came quickly for Patrick while with 18 Company:

16th August 1915 promoted to Bombardier
11th January 1916 appointed Acting Corporal
25th January 1916 promoted to Corporal
21st March 1916 appointed Sergeant

It is not long after this that Patrick’s health deteriorated. On 3rd February 1917 he underwent a medical, the cause of his disability being carcinoma of the pelvic colon. The report then goes on:
“The man states that he began to fail generally in strength in August 1916 while at Grain Fort, Isle of Grain. He was treated at the Great Hermitage Hospital; Higham on 23rd September 1916 was transferred to Fort Pitt, Chatham.”

The cause of the cancer was unknown and it was not connected to his military service.
“At present there is a large mass of carcinoma behind the bladder quite fixed and obstructing the pelvic colon. Left (word illegible) colostomy has been done in two stages.”

Eight days after the medical report, on 11th March 1917 at Dover, after serving his country for 2 years 156 days, Patrick was discharged, having been found no longer fit for war service, home service or light duties at home. On his discharge he was said to have been a good and steady man of good character.

Hospitals and dates Patrick received treatment:
Great Hermitage Hospital 25th August 1916 to 23rd September 1916
Fort Pitt 24th September 1916 to 20th December 1916
Preston Hall Aylesford 20th December 1916 to 2nd February 1917
Then finally to Sunderland War Hospital.

On the week ending 27th June 1917 the Pension Board awarded Patrick a gratuity payment of £84 plus a pension of 12d a week.

Because of the nature of Patrick’s discharge he was entitled to wear the Silver War Badge. Introduced in September 1916, the Silver War Badge was awarded to all military personnel who had served at home or overseas, and who had been discharged from the Army under King’s Regulations. The most common reason for discharge was that the soldier had been released on account of being permanently physically unfit.

It would be only five months after being granted a pension that Patrick died in the War Hospital, Sunderland. His residence at the time was 22 Victoria Street, Southwick. On the 20th February 1918 Patrick was laid to rest in Section 2 Grave no. 387 of Southwick Cemetery.

Patrick Doyle is remembered at Sunderland in S140.048 part 12 and he is listed in Peter Gibson's Book

The CWGC entry for Sergeant Doyle