Joseph Henry Element 1913-1983
Private 13033436 Pioneer Corps
Private 13033436 Pioneer Corps
Private Joseph Henry Element
Joseph Henry Element was born in August 1913 in Croxley Green. After leaving school he worked at the John Dickinson paper mill a short distance away from his home at Gade Bank near the canal, and near to the main entrance to the mill at Cassiobridge.
Joseph met Phyllis Brandon whilst visiting her aunt, also living at Gade Bank. Born in 1916 in Aberavon, Port Talbot, Glamorganshire, Wales, Phyllis decided to stay in the area and found work in nearby Rickmansworth as a downstairs maid. Joseph and Phyllis were married at All Saints church in 1937.
Prior to enlisting in the Pioneer Corps in WW2 Joseph and Phyllis lived in Malvern Way. The Pioneer Corps was vital in aiding all aspects of the WW2 Forces including constructing airfields, roads and erected bridges. They also performed a wide variety of supporting tasks ranging from handling all types of stores, laying prefabricated track on the beaches and stretcher-bearing.
Under the Engineers supervision, the Pioneer Corps played a vital part on the construction of the Mulberry Harbours off the coast of Normandy, France, following the D-Day Landings 6th June 1944. Each Mulberry harbour consisted of roughly 6 miles (10 km) of flexible steel roadways that floated on steel or concrete pontoons.
Joseph’s was wounded on 7th June 1944 in North Western France, indicating this was in the Normandy district and part of the D-Day Landings. After peace was declared on the 8th May 1945, Joseph returned to England where his records show he was released from the army on 20th February 1946 in Northampton. He was awarded 4 medals including the 1939/45 Star for serving in France or Germany.
Joseph and Phyllis continued to live in Malvern Way for many years with their family as well as returning to work at the John Dickinson Mill.
Joseph met Phyllis Brandon whilst visiting her aunt, also living at Gade Bank. Born in 1916 in Aberavon, Port Talbot, Glamorganshire, Wales, Phyllis decided to stay in the area and found work in nearby Rickmansworth as a downstairs maid. Joseph and Phyllis were married at All Saints church in 1937.
Prior to enlisting in the Pioneer Corps in WW2 Joseph and Phyllis lived in Malvern Way. The Pioneer Corps was vital in aiding all aspects of the WW2 Forces including constructing airfields, roads and erected bridges. They also performed a wide variety of supporting tasks ranging from handling all types of stores, laying prefabricated track on the beaches and stretcher-bearing.
Under the Engineers supervision, the Pioneer Corps played a vital part on the construction of the Mulberry Harbours off the coast of Normandy, France, following the D-Day Landings 6th June 1944. Each Mulberry harbour consisted of roughly 6 miles (10 km) of flexible steel roadways that floated on steel or concrete pontoons.
Joseph’s was wounded on 7th June 1944 in North Western France, indicating this was in the Normandy district and part of the D-Day Landings. After peace was declared on the 8th May 1945, Joseph returned to England where his records show he was released from the army on 20th February 1946 in Northampton. He was awarded 4 medals including the 1939/45 Star for serving in France or Germany.
Joseph and Phyllis continued to live in Malvern Way for many years with their family as well as returning to work at the John Dickinson Mill.
Joseph's release book
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Joseph's WW2 medals
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Details about the medals
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The certificate received with the medals
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The box cover the medals were sent in
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Information taken from
www.ancestry.co.uk
www.findmypast.co.uk
www.croxleygreenhistory.co.uk/brian-and-sheila-chandler.html
www.ancestry.co.uk
www.findmypast.co.uk
www.croxleygreenhistory.co.uk/brian-and-sheila-chandler.html
