Pte
Ivan Reginald Doyle

Information about birth

Year of birth:
1896
Place of birth:
Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia

General information

Last known residence:
Como, New South Wales, Australia
Profession:
Labourer
Religion:
Roman Catholic

Army information

Country:
Australia
Force:
Australian Imperial Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
6693A
Enlistment date:
19/01/1917
Enlistment place:
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Units:
 —  Australian Infantry, 38th Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
13/10/1917
Place of death:
Beecham Dugout, Zonnebeke, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
21

Cemetery

Tyne Cot Cemetery
Plot: XXXV
Row: D
Grave: 2

Points of interest 4

#1 Place of birth
#2 Last known residence
#3 Enlistment place
#4 Place of death (approximate)

My story

Ivan Reginald Doyle was the son of Joseph Francis and Louisa Doyle. He was born around 1896 in Tamworth, New South Wales. Before the war, he lived in Como, New South Wales, and worked as a labourer. Ivan enlisted in the Australian Army and served in the 38th Battalion Australian Infantry (10th Brigade, 3rd Division).

Ivan was killed on 13 October 1917 in the aftermath of the First Battle of Passchendaele, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. The starting lines of the 38th Battalion were located just in front of Augustus Wood. On 12 and 13 October, the unit launched an attack on Passchendaele. Even on the way to the start lines and after taking up position, the battalion came under fire. During the advance, machine-gun fire from the Bellevue area also caused delays. A part of the battalion managed to cross the Ravebeek and disable three pillboxes, but they too were forced to withdraw due to heavy shelling. They rejoined the unit, which was by then near Haalen.

The New Zealand troops on their left flank had failed to advance. Because of this, and due to the high number of casualties in the 38th Battalion, the unit was forced to retreat to near their original positions. The battalion held this line until it was relieved during the night of 13 to 14 October. Initially, they fell back to Hussar Farm before being transported by bus to Senlecques. After the attack, the 38th Battalion had suffered 11 killed, 270 wounded, and 101 missing.

Ivan was killed at the age of 22. According to eyewitness accounts, he is believed to have been killed by a shell. After the war, his body was found near Beecham Dugout. He was reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he found his final resting place.

Sources 6

10th Australian Infantry Brigade, (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23/10/12).
https://www.awm.gov.au/
Sources used
38th Australian Infantry Battalion, (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23/55/17).
https://www.awm.gov.au/
Sources used
Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), RCDIG1036533).
https://www.awm.gov.au/
Sources used
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920, (National Archives of Australia, Canberra (NAA), B2455, DOYLE I R).
https://www.naa.gov.au/
Sources used
McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 1995), 129-130.
Sources used
Unit embarkation nominal rolls, 1914-18 War (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM8 23/55/2).
https://www.awm.gov.au/
Sources used

More information 4