Bachelor of arts in mechanical sciences from
St. Catharine´s College in Cambridge, 1965; master of arts in mechanical
sciences from University Officers Training Corps in Cambridge, 1969; was
selected for the British Skynet program; had been replaced by the Army's second
choice Major Richard
Farrimond, due to the need for Boyle to assist in "further
consultations" in a alleged leak of secrets. No question over Col. Boyle's
competence as a soldier or potential astronaut was involved, but he was called
upon to serve in the inquiry of eight men from 9 Signals Regiment in Cyprus,
charged with alleged spying activities. Boyle commanded that regiment from
February 1981 until September 1983. As the investigation became more
"complicated" the need for Boyle to take a more active role in the case meant
that he had to leave the Astronaut Payload Specialist programme; later working
for the British Office of Defense.