Mark Hone Posted 18 February , 2016 Share Posted 18 February , 2016 While looking through an old book of famous unsolved mysteries which I came across while going through my bookshelves, I spotted references to Bunny Doyle. He was apparently a popular inter-war comedian and pantomime dame from Hull. He crops up in the book because his long-time girlfriend Molly Moselle (nee Mary Burslem) disappeared without trace while with a touring production of 'The Dancing Years' in Sunderland in January 1949. The book is not well-referenced but mentions that Doyle fought with the Bradford Pals in the Great War, was awarded the Croix De Guerre and performed with the concert party 'The Duds' ( presumably not the King's Liverpool troupe of that name). There is no suggestion in the book that he was implicated in Molly's disappearance. He died in 1955. I could find remarkably little about him from an Internet search-even his real first name. Does anyone know more, particularly about his wartime service? Supposedly, Molly's ghost haunts the Sunderland Empire, alongside the phantom of Sid James! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 18 February , 2016 Share Posted 18 February , 2016 Looking at 1955 deaths, in Lancashire, of men aged 60, my best guess would be Bernard Doyle. There was 13/330 Bernard Doyle, East Yorks, which would fit with his birth place of Hull, and Bunny could be a corruption of Bernard? I see that Betty Driver was in a number of productions with Bunny Doyle in the 1940's. I do hope that she, and her hotpots, were not involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hone Posted 18 February , 2016 Author Share Posted 18 February , 2016 Thanks for that. Was he a Hull Commercial or similar rather than a Bradford Pal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithmroberts Posted 18 February , 2016 Share Posted 18 February , 2016 A quick search for Doyle and West Yorkshire Regiment brings no obvious candidate for the Bradford Pals, But without more knowledge of his personal details it would be difficult to be certain. Keith Would there be a way to chase up the Croix de Guerre award and work backwards? Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hone Posted 18 February , 2016 Author Share Posted 18 February , 2016 Thanks, Keith. I shall do further digging.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 18 February , 2016 Share Posted 18 February , 2016 Was Bunny Doyle a stage name? Were there men really named Bunny? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 18 February , 2016 Share Posted 18 February , 2016 I've found some 1920s articles which confirm that his real name was Bernard Doyle. There's a 1919 advert for the Picture Playhouse, Hull, which mentions "Bunny Doyle - Late of 17th Division Concert Party" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 18 February , 2016 Share Posted 18 February , 2016 FMP have some newspaper refs to him post war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helpjpl Posted 18 February , 2016 Share Posted 18 February , 2016 National Probate Calendar 1956 - DOYLE, Bernard of 21 Dora-road Wimbledon S.W.19 died 27 August 1955 at The Victoria Hospital Blackpool. Administration (with Will) York 21 April to Gladys Hardy (wife of Raymond Clarke Hardy). Effects £1676 19s 8d. Name; Bernard Doyle Birth Date: abt 1895 Date of Registration: Sep 1955 Age at Death: 60 Registration district: Blackpool Inferred county: Lancashire Volume: 10b Page: 388 1911 Census: Bernard Doyle (15) Municipal Clerk, born Hull, living at 6 Bramwell Tce, Park St, Hull, with grandfather Richard Roe (67) widower; mother Emma Ruth Doyle (36) married 17 years, born Hutton Cranswick; brother Cyril Doyle (9) born Hull; sister Gladys (6) born Hull. Emma Ruth Roe and William Charles Doyle married in 1894. JP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hone Posted 18 February , 2016 Author Share Posted 18 February , 2016 Great. We're getting closer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Wills Posted 19 February , 2016 Share Posted 19 February , 2016 13th East Yorks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hone Posted 19 February , 2016 Author Share Posted 19 February , 2016 One of 'T'Others', then. Thanks very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tunsilk Posted 23 February , 2016 Share Posted 23 February , 2016 Molly Moselle's story http://www.sunderlandecho.com/history-nostalgia/retro-1949-vanishing-act-1-3454265 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kittydaze Posted 17 September , 2016 Share Posted 17 September , 2016 Hello, I am not sure if anybody is still interested in this topic as I am writing September 2016, I am the great great niece of Bunny Doyle and can confirm all of the family information supplied (Gladys (Dolly) was my great Grandmother). I am particularly interested in the mention of the Croix de Guerre as I have never heard mention of it in the family, did anybody turn up any information? I would be happy to see if my mother has anything as I believe she may have some of the effects inherited from Bunny by my Great Grandmother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hone Posted 18 September , 2016 Author Share Posted 18 September , 2016 I'm not sure if there is an easily accessible Croix de Guerre register as I've never tried to research anyone who won it. I couldn't fined anything obvious on the 'net but someone on this Forum will know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 18 September , 2016 Share Posted 18 September , 2016 Should be mentioned in the "London Gazette". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Filsell Posted 18 September , 2016 Share Posted 18 September , 2016 Well stapp me - Mr Doyle lived five streets away from me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForeignGong Posted 19 September , 2016 Share Posted 19 September , 2016 My database is now over 47,000 names and I do not have a Doyle entitled to a French or Belgium CdG that is gazetted. Not saying he did not get one, but I have not found him. If someone else does, please let me know Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hone Posted 19 September , 2016 Author Share Posted 19 September , 2016 Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 10 August , 2017 Share Posted 10 August , 2017 I have a signed photo of Bunny Doyle if you would like it. My mother worked at the Station Hotel in Chesterfield during WW2. A very smart place where she was a silver service dining waitress. He must have been a guest there and possibly appearing locally. It says .... To Marie thanks, sorry I'm always late Bunny Doyle Linda B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hone Posted 12 August , 2017 Author Share Posted 12 August , 2017 Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hone Posted 27 December , 2020 Author Share Posted 27 December , 2020 Thanks for this. I'd be interested to see a photo of him, if one is available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 3 February , 2021 Share Posted 3 February , 2021 Hello. Apologies for the late reply. I have included a photo of Bunny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 27 February , 2021 Share Posted 27 February , 2021 Bunny Doyle was my Great Grandad. I a waiting for a dvd of my Nan, Molly being interviewed about Molly Moselles disappearance. here is his medal... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
17107BM Posted 28 February , 2021 Share Posted 28 February , 2021 What a story! Thanks for posting an up date. Watching with great interest. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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