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Name: HOYLE, William Edward

Birth Date: 3 Oct 1876 Pudsey, Yorkshire

First Date: 1903

Last Date: 1930

Profession: CMS missionary in Uganda 1903-1933

Area: Kampala

Married: Sarah Louise b. 25 Mar 1883 Bolton, Lancs.

Children: Ronald Leslie (28 Nov 1910); Irene Mary (10 Sep 1913) (Churchill)

Book Reference: UJ, North

General Information:

Uganda Journal - Vol. 21, No. 1 - Early Days in Kampala by W.E. Hoyle - I arrived in Kampala in April 1903. The Uganda Railway (as it was then designated) had not long been completed through to Kisumu. A new steamer, the S.S. Winifred, had been launched, and I journeyed across Lake Victoria to Entebbe on her thrid voyage. The road from Entebbe to Kampala was known as the 'porters' road', and three methods of travel were presented to me. One could walk, or be carried in a hammock, or ride a bicycle. Being young and energetic I decided on the pushbike as being the most up-to-date, since it did at least ensure reaching Kampala in one day. Otherwise it involved a two days' safari. The distance by 'porters' road' was said to be 19 miles. In company with another European living in Kampala we decided to make the journey by night, with the light of a full moon. It was a rather gruelling introduction to an African road, with rough surfaces and ruts, and swampy ground which involved carrying the machine. We reached Kampala at midnight and bed never seemed more welcome, even though it was made with strips of cow-hide, far removed from springs. ……….. The first European store - that of the Uganda Company, of which I was manager - was imported in sections from England and erected on the site which is now occupied by an Indian firm, to whom it was sold after 1930 (the year I left Uganda) ……… Apart from CMS and RC missionaries, I think I am correct in saying the total European population of Kampala in 1903 numbered 10 (9 men and 1 lady, Mrs Leakey the wife of the DC [F.H. Leakey]), but there was a much larger number in Entebbe, which was then regarded as the 'metropolis' of Uganda [this may be a trader W.E. Hoyle, rather than the missionary. Trader Hoyle worked for the Uganda Company]
William E. Hoyle was a missionary of the CMS in Uganda 1903-1933
His Papers are in the Yale Divinity Library

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