Doyle, Thomas Joseph (Gunner, b.1905 - d.?)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of VX21575 Gunner Thomas Joseph Doyle, 2 Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Palestine 1941-1943. Gunner Doyle was born is Stirlingshire Scotland in 1905, and married Ella May Wellington in Australia in May 1940. He enlisted in the army in June 1940, and sailed for the Middle East in February 1941.

The collection consist of two diaries. The first diary begins with Doyle's departure for the Middle East. He records life at sea, reaching Suez and entraining for Palestine; and encountering first enemy aircraft action in May 1941. Doyle's unit is encamped at Khassa close to a Haifa aerodrome where the allies operate Hurricane and Blenheim bombers, and he documents enemy attacks, retaliations and the monotony of camp life. On 10 June 1941 Doyle records a particularly heavy raid, large shards of shrapnel raining down and he describes counting 157 enemy aircraft. Doyle mentions Vichy prisoners going through the camp. He is hospitalised for an eye infection, and observes many wounded Indian soldiers who have come in from the Syria campaign. Between digging sandbag reinforcements and air raids, Doyle records visiting the beach, Jewish colonies, purchasing souvenirs to send home to his wife and a penchant for two-up. There are occasional sightseeing trips to Nazareth, and visits to the Kit Kat Club at Bat Kalem. In late September 1941, Doyle and his unit drive north to Tripoli (Lebanon), where they remain until the diary ends in late November 1941.

The second diary is a partially completed volume, beginning in January 1943 and contains only a few entries.