Martin Doyle (VC) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Martin Doyle
Born	25 October 1891 New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland
Died	20 November 1940 (aged 49) Dublin, Ireland
Buried	Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin
Allegiance	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Ireland
Service/branch	British Army Irish Republican Army National Army Defence Forces Reserve Defence Forces
Rank	Company Sergeant Major
Unit	Royal Munster Fusiliers
Battles/wars	World War I Irish War of Independence Irish Civil War
Awards	Victoria Cross Military Medal

Martin Doyle was a very brave Irish soldier. He lived from 1891 to 1940. He served in the British Army during the First World War.

He received the Victoria Cross (VC) and the Military Medal (MM). The Victoria Cross is the highest award for courage a soldier can get. It is given for amazing bravery when facing the enemy. After the war, he also joined the Irish Republican Army. He later served in the National Army and the Irish Defence Forces.

Martin Doyle's Military Service

Martin Doyle was born in New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland, on October 25, 1891. He first joined the Royal Irish Regiment in 1909. Later, in August 1914, he moved to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He then joined The Royal Munster Fusiliers and was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery.

Bravery in World War I

In September 1918, during the First World War, Martin Doyle was a company sergeant-major. This means he was a senior non-commissioned officer. His company was fighting near a place called Riencourt. During the battle, the officers in his company were injured. So, Martin Doyle took charge.

He saw that some of his fellow soldiers were surrounded by the enemy. He quickly gathered a group of men to help them. With great skill and leadership, he moved along the trenches. He fought against the enemy soldiers and rescued his trapped comrades. He even carried a wounded officer to safety while under heavy enemy fire.

Later, he saw a tank that was in trouble. Enemy soldiers were trying to get inside it. Martin Doyle bravely rushed forward under intense fire. He drove away the enemy soldiers who were attacking the tank. He also stopped another group of enemies from attacking the tank.

Then, an enemy machine gun started firing at the tank from very close range. This made it impossible to move the wounded soldiers. With incredible courage, Company Sergeant-Major Doyle rushed forward alone. He silenced the machine gun and captured it. He also took three enemy soldiers as prisoners. After that, he carried another wounded man to safety, still under heavy fire.

Later that day, the enemy launched a counterattack on his position. Martin Doyle showed strong leadership. He pushed back the enemy and captured many more prisoners. Throughout all these events, he was an amazing example to everyone. He showed incredible courage and did not care about the danger to himself. For these actions, he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

After the War

In 1920, Martin Doyle joined the Irish Republican Army. He fought in the Irish War of Independence. He then served with the National Army during the Irish Civil War. He retired from military service in 1937.

Martin Doyle passed away in Dublin in 1940. He was 49 years old. He is buried in Grangegorman Military Cemetery.