In 1845 a tall, red-haired Irishman by the name of Edward O�Carroll, descendant of one of the tribes of Ireland, joined the Irish Constabulary in Dublin. Two years later he caught fever and left. With his brother, Michael, he then rowed in an open rowing boat to Wales, dropping the �O� from his surname into the Irish Sea on the way, and three days after leaving Dublin enlisted in the Carmarthenshire County Constabulary as plain Edward Carroll.
This, according to my grandfather and others of his generation, is how Edward Carroll came to leave County Clare in Ireland for a new life in Wales. This site aims to tell the true story of Edward and Michael: where they came from and what became of them, their children and their grandchildren. It is a story at once unique to the family, and at the same time shared in general aspects with countless other families who lived through the same times and events.
In the Month of August...
Private Michael Edward Carroll was absent from the month�s muster of the 19th Foot Regiment because he was in hospital at Stoke in Devon where he spent 34 days.
1852
Pte. Michael Edward Carroll was absent from the month�s muster of the 19th Regiment because he had 'gone sick'.
1853
Pte. Michael Edward Carroll was absent from the month�s muster of the 19th Regiment because he was 'convalescent in barracks'.
Pte. Michael Edward Carroll left Chobham Camp for Walmer, Kent with the 19th Regiment of Foot.
1854
Sgt. Michael Edward Carroll marched from Monastir, through Yursakova and Karagoli, to Varna in Bulgaria with the 19th Foot where they embarked on the 'Courier'.
1857
Edward Carroll married his third wife, Martha Hughes, dau. of labourer Henry Hughes, at Penboyr Parish Church, Carmarthenshire.
1859
Sgt. Michael Edward Carroll was reduced to the 1st Division of 2nd Class Constables in the Pembrokeshire County Constabulary.
1878
Rachel Ellen Carroll was born at Freehold, Llandaff, Glamorgan to Annie Josephine and Edwin Carroll.
1880
Thomas John (Tom) Carroll was born at Freehold, Llandaff, Glamorgan to Annie Josephine and Edwin Carroll.
1883
George Thomas Carroll joined the Metropolitan Police as P.C. 68597 and was assigned to D Division (Marylebone).
1901
Thomas John Carroll had his wages on the Taff Vale Railway increased to 3 shillings per day.
1904
Albert George Carroll joined the Taff Vale Railway as a cleaner at Treherbert.
Thomas John Carroll became a goods porter with the Great Western Railway at Blaina Station in Monmouthshire for a wage of 18 shillings.