Source: Elgin Genealogy Branch.
Source: Elgin County Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society
Joseph Edward Carrel
54211
Joseph Edward Carrel was born on March 12, 1892 in the parish of Forest, Guernsey Island, part of the Channel Islands off the coast of England. He was the son of Joseph Edward Carrel (1860-1940) & Mary Jane Norman (1869-1937). The family is found on the 1901 census living on Military Road, Forest, Guernsey Island. Joseph was born on Jersey Island, the son of Edward Carrel. Mary Jane Norman was born in St. John on Jersey Island, the daughter of John Norman. Joseph & Mary were living at Mount Durand, Guernsey Island in 1918, but later emigrated to Canada, settling in Springfield. They are buried in Aylmer cemetery.
It is interesting to note that Joseph Edward Carrel had a brother Edward Joseph Carrel, who also served in the war.
Joseph emigrated to Canada in 1912 and was a farmer in the Springfield area when he enlisted for service on January 18, 1915 in St. Thomas. He had served two years with the 2nd Battalion of Royal Guernsey Militia. He served with the 18th Battalion C.E.F.
Joseph and his wife Millitza (Millie) Jehan were married in 1917 in Guernsey. Following the war, they remained in Guernsey until 1921 when they returned to the Springfield area with their eldest son Joseph Edward. They arrived in Halifax on April 18, 1921 on this ship Saxonia, sailing from London, England.
Joseph died on May 24, 1958 and is buried with his Millie (1889-1983) in Aylmer Cemetery. In their plot is also a military marker bearing the following inscription:
“Joseph E. Carrel Private 18 Battn. C.E.F. 24 May 1958, age 66″
His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, May 26, 1958:
JOSEPH E. CARREL FUNERAL TUESDAY
AYLMER – A veteran of two World Wars, Joseph Edward Carrel, 32 Chestnut street, died in Westminster Hospital, London, on Saturday afternoon. He had been in ailing health for a number of years.
Born on the Guernsey Channel Isle 66 years ago, he was a son of the late Mr and Mrs Joseph Carrel. Mr. Carrel came to Canada in 1913 and farmed in the Springfield district until he retired in 1942. He had lived in Aylmer for the past 16 years.
He served with the 18th Battalion in World War I, and in World War II from September, 1939 to September, 1940. He later served with the Elgin Reserve Regiment. Mr. Carrel was a member of St. Paul’s United Church, Aylmer.
He is survived by his wife, the former Millitza Jehan; two sons, Joseph and Walter, of Springfield; one daughter, Mrs. Carl (Agnes) Smith, Culloden; four brothers, Edward, Aylmer; Edmund, Canton, Mass.; William, Windsor; Frank, London, Ont; five sisters, Mrs. Eva Callienne, London; Mrs. Cecil (Elsie) Gavey, Aylmer; Mrs. Mary Dodd, Mrs. Ada Tostivan and Mrs. Annie Heamun, all of the Guernsey isle; six grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Resting at the Hughson Funeral Home, Aylmer, from where service will be held on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Rev. T. Garnet Husser, of St. Paul’s United Church, will officiate. Interment will be made in the family plot at Aylmer cemetery.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 