I was saddened to read in my recent copy of the Public Service Association of New South Wales gazette “Red Tape” that John Doyle had passed away at home on Saturday 1st April 2017 at the very young age of 67.
I first met John long before I became a Prison Officer in 1971. In the late 60s I was playing drums in a band called the “Sheer Delight” around the Newcastle/Williamtown/Nelsons Bay area. We had a large following of local young people at the time and John was one of them. He told me years later that he had become a musician and had a band of his own purely because he was inspired by my band. He also specifically enjoyed my band’s rendition of the old Shadows classic “Apache”.
John followed me into the prisons in January 1973, some 20 months after me. John was a very staunch and loyal Prison Officer with a great grasp on summing up and dealing with difficult situations. He led by example. He showed genuine concern for the welfare and conditions of his fellow Prison Officers. He became an active Union member and he was at one stage the Chairman of the POVB (Prison Officers’ Vocational Branch).
John never indicated to me whether I was an influence on him becoming a Prison Officer or not. I would like to think that I did factor into his decision.
Last time I saw John was at the court case for Geoff Pearce and we had a long and meaningful discussion there.
You can read about Geoff Pearce’s horrific case in my latest book, “Australia’s Best Prison Stories”, available from Amazon.
John reached the exalted rank of Deputy Superintendent. To put in more simple words, he was just a good, decent, all round person that you would be pleased to call your friend.
My thoughts go to his family and friends at this time.
This I believe.
Peter T. Egge
