Edward Courtney Boyle

He took his submarine through mines to strike in enemy seas.

Edward Courtney Boyle was born at Carlisle on 23 March 1883 and educated at Cheltenham College. He entered the naval training ship Britannia in 1897 and became a midshipman the following year. An early submarine specialist, he received his first submarine command while still a young officer. At the outbreak of the First World War he commanded D3 in the North Sea, where his reconnaissance work earned a mention in despatches.

In 1915 he took E14 to the Dardanelles. On 27 April he passed beneath the Ottoman minefields into the Sea of Marmara. Strong currents, patrol vessels and the constant danger of discovery made both the passage and the subsequent patrol exceptionally hazardous. Boyle continued operating in these confined waters and attacked enemy shipping, disrupting communications supporting the Gallipoli campaign. His command during this first patrol earned the Victoria Cross. Further patrols followed before he returned to other submarine duties.

Promoted commander in 1915 and captain after the war, he later commanded cruisers and the battleship Iron Duke, and served as King's Harbour Master at Devonport. He retired as a rear-admiral in 1932 but returned to duty during the Second World War as flag officer in charge at London. In retirement he lived at Sunningdale and was an enthusiastic golfer. He died at Ascot on 16 December 1967 after being struck by a lorry the previous day, and was cremated at Woking.

Victoria Cross citation The London Gazette of 21 May 1915, Numb. 29169, p. 4894

For most conspicuous bravery, in command of Submarine E. 14, when he dived his vessel under the enemy’s minefields and entered the Sea of Marmora on the 27th April, 1915. In spite of great navigational difficulties from strong currents, of the continual neighbourhood of hostile patrols, and of the hourly danger of attack from the enemy, he continued to operate in the narrow waters of the Straits and succeeded in sinking two Turkish gunboats and one large military transport.