Reunion for Ginnell Boys in Africa 1943

Two brothers who entered the Army within a month of each other in 1941 and did not see each other during the 14 months they were sent about the country to various training camps, have had a reunion in Africa, their parents, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Ginnell, learned in a letter received today.

They are Pvt. James A. Ginnell, 26, who left Elgin in the eighth draft Aug. 25, 1941, and Pvt. 1st Cl. John Patrick Ginnell who departed with the tenth draft contingent from here, September 11, 1941. With separate units, the two left the United States in late October and landed in Africa early in November.

A boyhood hobby of James in raising pigeons made it possible for John to find him. He knew James had been assigned to the pigeon section of a signal corps battalion and located the outfit within 10 miles of where he was stationed.

James was employed at Nelson's pharmacy in National Street at the time he entered the Army. He had previously worked for the telephone company. John, a graduate of Elgin High School in 1939 after playing lightweight basketball two years, has been a clerk at Herman's clothing store and later was employed by the McGraw Electric Co. James received his training at Fort Monmouth, N. J., and John at Fort Lewis, Wash., and Fort Ord, Calif.

A third member of the family is soon to enter the service. Miss Margaret Elizabeth Ginnell, a registered nurse and sister of the two youths, has joined the Loyola 108th Hospital Unit and will report for training at New Orleans, La., the latter part of this month. She graduated from Elgin High School in 1932 and from Mercy Hospital Nurses' Training School in 1935. Since 1939, she has been employed by the University of Chicago as supervisor of its country home for convalescent children.

James A Ginnell