Dorchester Illustration no. 2351 Charles Willis Crowell
At the Dorchester Historical Society, we are in the process of a year-long project to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of World War 1. Using a collection of photographs we have of World War 1 Dorchester residents, we will be featuring servicemen and women in a number of short biographies throughout the year. At the culmination of the project, we hope to produce an online exhibit which highlights these men and women and their service to our country.
We are so excited to be sharing our next biography for Charles Willis Crowell. After seeing our posts about World War I Dorchester veterans, Charles’s grandson, Theodore, sent us some information about his grandfather. We are happy to feature him and honor this World War I veteran!
Charles Willis Crowell
Written by: Theodore Crowell (Charles’s grandson)
Charles was born May 21, 1897 in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia to Philip W. Crowell and Edith E. Sweet. At the age of fourteen Charles immigrated to the United States with his brothers. Charles lived and worked as a baker in Dorchester until joining the Army.
Charles was inducted into the Army on April 12, 1918 at the age of twenty years and eleven months. Charles was trained at Camp Joseph E. Johnston, Florida. On June 12, 1918 in the United States District Court, South District, Jacksonville, Florida, petition was made, granted and ordered by the court that Charles WillisCrowell be admitted as a citizen of the United States of America. Charles shipped out to France as part of the American Expeditionary Force on July 10, 1918. Charles was assigned to Motor Transport Company, 418th Regiment, Base Section 6(Marseille, France). Charles served as a chauffeur, or today we would say truck driver. During the war the Army was making a transition from horses to motorized transport. Charles served in France until his return to the United States on June 2, 1919.
Charles was honorably discharged on June 6, 1919 as a private, entitled to wear one gold chevron.
Just prior to leaving for the Army Charles married Corinne Chapin of Newton, Massachusetts on April 2, 1918 in Somerville, Massachusetts. Corinne’s parents were Halbert E. Chapin and Elizabeth Holman. Halbert’s father was Norris E. Chapin who served with F Company, 34th Regiment Massachusetts, as part of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Charles and Corinne made their home at 52 Samoset Street during 1918, Dorchester, Massachusetts. They raised two boys in Dorchester, Richard and Robert both graduates of Dorchester High School. Richard served in the Army during the Korean War and Robert served in the Navy.
Charles died on January 11, 1971 at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Brockton, Massachusetts.
References:
Honorable Discharge from The United States Army, Charles W. , Enlistment Record, Inducted April 12, 1918, Camp Joseph E. Johnston, foreign service France July 10, 1918 to June 2, 1919, Motor Transport Corps. 418 Base Sec #6 (Marseille, France). Until December 19, 1918. 247th Co.124th Bn M.P.Corp until May 5, 1919. Casual to June 6, 1919. Private 1st Class.
No. 979309, The United States Of America, Certificate of Naturalization, Department of Labor, Petition, Volume 8, Number 877, Charles Willis Crowell, Camp Joseph E. Johnston, Jacksonville, Florida. Name, age place of residence of wife Corinne Crowell-22- Dorchester Mass. Petition dated June 12, 1918, U.S. District Court, So. Dist. of Florida, Jacksonville.
Registry Department.-City of Boston, County of Suffolk, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, City Hall Annex. Boston, December 13, 1920 certify that Charles W.Crowell and Corinne Chapin were married in Somerville Mass, April 2 1918, by Rev. W. M. Cassidy of Somerville.
Death Certificate, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, City Clerk’s Office, Brockton January 11, 1971. Charles W. Crowell, WWI Veteran, place of death Veterans Administration Hospital, Brockton, Massachusetts on January 11, 1971. Place of burial, Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston, Massachusetts. Father Philip Crowell, Canada and mother Jeanne Sweet, Canada.