Wallet with rosary beads and a Catholic identity card : Temporary Second Corporal J St V Doyle, 1 Field Company, Australian Engineers, AIF

Khaki cotton drill wallet containing a set of rosary beads and a Catholic identification card. The wallet has two internal pockets, one self fabric and the other with a clear plastic cover, and can be folded in half and secured with a press stud. The Catholic identification card is stored in the plastic covered pocket. It lists the bearer's personal details, his next of kin and the instructions to 'Call nearest Catholic Priest at once in case of Serious Illness or Accident to me'. The card also contains morning and night prayers, the act of contrition and instructions on how to baptize. The brown plastic rosary beads are stored in the self fabric pocket. The front of this pocket is faintly stamped with the words '(unknown) CHILDREN OF MARY (unknown) HEART CONVENT'.

This wallet with rosary beads and Catholic identity card was carried by 795 Temporary Second Corporal John St Vincent Doyle. It is thought to have been a gift from the religious order, The Children of Mary. Doyle, a 23 year old engineer from Sydney, enlisted in the AIF on 1 December 1914. He sailed to Egypt aboard HMAT Runic in February 1915 where he joined 2 Australian General Hospital. A few months later Doyle transferred to 1 Field Ambulance and served with this unit on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

In March 1916 he sailed to France and was appointed the rank of driver. He transferred to 1 Field Company, Australian Engineers in May and remained with this unit for the rest of the war. Doyle was promoted to temporary second corporal in October 1918. He was discharged on 31 March 1919.

After returning to Australia, Doyle was granted land at Carrabubla in northern NSW as part of the soldier settlement scheme. He married Hilda R Warren in August 1920, but she became ill and died just 13 weeks after their marriage. Doyle battled two years of drought before leaving the farm and starting a business as a general storekeeper. He later moved to Wagga Wagga where he served for a period as Mayor of the city. He died in February 1987.