Doyle, Arthur Cornelius

Arthur Cornelius Doyle was born in Campbell’s Settlement, New Brunswick, on 24 or 25 December 1892.

A labourer, Doyle enlisted in the 115th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Saint John, New Brunswick, on 10 March 1916. On 20 July 1916, he deserted. Two days later, he enlisted in the 189th Canadian Infantry Battalion. In light of both Doyle’s almost immediate re-enlistment and his subsequent good service in the field, the military authorities later decided to treat his change of battalion as a transfer. This meant that Doyle was not punished for deserting the 115th Battalion and his length of service was traced back to his initial enlistment.

The 189th Battalion sailed to England on 27 September 1916, arriving on 6 October 1916. Upon arrival, it was immediately absorbed into the 69th Canadian Infantry Battalion (French Canadian). Doyle was transferred from the 69th Battalion to the 23rd Reserve Battalion in preparation for being shipped to France as a reinforcement. On 21 February 1917, he left England to join the 2nd Canadian Engineer Battalion in France. He reached the unit in the field three days later. His stay with that battalion was a short one. On 8 March 1917, Doyle was transferred to the 24th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Victoria Rifles of Canada). He served in that unit during the Canadian Corps’ successful attack on Vimy Ridge (9–12 April 1917).

Doyle was killed by shrapnel on 8 August 1918, the first day of the Battle of Amiens. His body was lost in the tumult of battle and never recovered.

Arthur Cornelius Doyle is commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, on Vimy Ridge, in France.