Post by Matt McNamara on May 9, 2009 16:36:35 GMT
Here is some information on the Doyle family history. It begins with the departure of my great grandfather (Matt Byrne) to the “Tirah Campaign” in India with the Royal Enniskilling Fusiliers, which involved engagements along the Khyber pass after which he was deployed to the 2nd Boer from which he returned to be demobbed in Belfast in 1908. He retired to Tullow and because of his military experience was actively recruited to train the local insurgents in guerrilla warfare, not unlike Tom Barry who had also served in the British army.
In the interim Michael Doyle had enlisted in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, he had previously served in the 8th Kings Royal Rifles, a local Carlow Militia. He enlisted in 1903 at Naas. He was then posted to France with the British Expeditionary Force at the outbreak of WWI and was captured fighting a holding action with the Battalion rearguard during the retreat from Mons. He spent the remainder of the war as a POW returning to Ireland in 1918.
Of course by now civil war loomed high on the horizon and there was no heroes welcome for the men who thought they were serving Irelands effort to attain home rule.
His son Laurence Doyle enlisted in the 3rd Infantry Battalion in 1931 and served throughout the emergency until 1946. He married May Byrne daughter to Matt Byrne.
His sons Matt and Laurence also served on the Curragh. Matt, continuing the tradition, with the 3rd Battalion until his retirement.
Laurence Doyle Jnr had three sons (Myself-Stephen, Laurence and Mark )in the Defence forces. “Mark” now with the Gardai.
Laurence is a serving Sgt with the IWW Mc Donagh , Mill Coll. And I am currently serving with Sp Coy 3rd Inf bn, now based in Stephens brks kilkenny, having served 8 years with the Mill Coll also.
So that’s a brief outline from the period 1879 until present.
Hope you found it of interest , I enjoy checking the site and seeing who I might know or just reading the interesting articles.
Continued good luck with it.
Stephen.
Michael Doyle Royal Dublin Fusiliers
In the interim Michael Doyle had enlisted in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, he had previously served in the 8th Kings Royal Rifles, a local Carlow Militia. He enlisted in 1903 at Naas. He was then posted to France with the British Expeditionary Force at the outbreak of WWI and was captured fighting a holding action with the Battalion rearguard during the retreat from Mons. He spent the remainder of the war as a POW returning to Ireland in 1918.
Tullow 1919
Of course by now civil war loomed high on the horizon and there was no heroes welcome for the men who thought they were serving Irelands effort to attain home rule.
Larry Doyle 3rd Inf Bn 1931
3rd Bn Curragh Camp 1930's
His son Laurence Doyle enlisted in the 3rd Infantry Battalion in 1931 and served throughout the emergency until 1946. He married May Byrne daughter to Matt Byrne.
Doyles Larry & Matt
His sons Matt and Laurence also served on the Curragh. Matt, continuing the tradition, with the 3rd Battalion until his retirement.
Laurence Doyle Jnr had three sons (Myself-Stephen, Laurence and Mark )in the Defence forces. “Mark” now with the Gardai.
Larry Doyle 2nd Cav 1990's
Laurence is a serving Sgt with the IWW Mc Donagh , Mill Coll. And I am currently serving with Sp Coy 3rd Inf bn, now based in Stephens brks kilkenny, having served 8 years with the Mill Coll also.
Stephen Doyle 3rd Inf Bn recently
So that’s a brief outline from the period 1879 until present.
Hope you found it of interest , I enjoy checking the site and seeing who I might know or just reading the interesting articles.
Continued good luck with it.
Stephen.