Biography
Rehill, Joseph Francis. (Reel, Francis Patrick); b. March 14, 1913, New Brunswick, New Jersey; Father John Howard Rehil (1877-?), mother Christina Clancy (1890-?), both parents deceased; Graduated from St. Barnard’s Parochial School in NYC then attended Mechanical Institute; Single; Clerk; CP May 1935, Book Keepers, Stenographers and Accountants Union, Artist Union, Food Workers Union; Received Passport# 365994 on February 2, 1937 which listed his address as New Brunswick, New Jersey, and 381 Nye Avenue, Irvington, New York; Sailed February 6, 1937 aboard the Paris; Arrived in Spain on February 15, 1937; Served with the XV BDE, Lincoln BN, Co. 2, Section 2, Group 1; Later Co. 1, Irish Section, Connolly Column; Rank Cabo; Served at Jarama; Wounded in action at Jarama, hospital at Colemar June 26 for operation then to Murcia on July 1 due to complications from the first surgery; Repatriated medical; Back to US on October 12, 1937 aboard the Veendam; Returned to Spain via Massanet on May 27, 1938; Lincoln-Washington BN, Transmissions, Co. 1; Rank Soldado; Served at the Ebro Offensive; Returned to the US on December 20, 1938 aboard the Ausonia; WWII US Army, enlisted March 27, 1941; Married Anne Rudin (1914-1994) in 1944 in New Jersey; Was separated from his wife when he died and was buried in a Potter’s Field.
Siblings: sisters Irene Elizabeth Rehil Kerrigan (1912-1976), Margaret Rehil (1916-?), brother John Rehil (1914-?).
Sources: Sail; Scope of Soviet Activity; Figueres List; Lincoln, Pay; Voros-Jarama; RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 849, ll 25, List of American Comrades that have been Repatriated as per October 15 1937; Opis 6, Delo 969, ll. 45-54; USSDA 2:0859, 59:0123; L-W Tree Ancestry. Code A
One Who Came Back by Joseph Rehill, The Volunteer for Liberty, v. II, no. 29, August 13, 1938, reprinted The Volunteer Blog, posted December 28, 2019.
Photographs: Joseph Francis Rehill in Spain RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 969; and on his return. Joseph Francis Rehill. Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Photograph Collection; ALBA Photo 15; Series I Photographs 1930s- 1990s, Box 2, Folder 110. Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives. Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, 70 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012, New York University Libraries.
Siblings: sisters Irene Elizabeth Rehil Kerrigan (1912-1976), Margaret Rehil (1916-?), brother John Rehil (1914-?).
Sources: Sail; Scope of Soviet Activity; Figueres List; Lincoln, Pay; Voros-Jarama; RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 849, ll 25, List of American Comrades that have been Repatriated as per October 15 1937; Opis 6, Delo 969, ll. 45-54; USSDA 2:0859, 59:0123; L-W Tree Ancestry. Code A
One Who Came Back by Joseph Rehill, The Volunteer for Liberty, v. II, no. 29, August 13, 1938, reprinted The Volunteer Blog, posted December 28, 2019.
Photographs: Joseph Francis Rehill in Spain RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 969; and on his return. Joseph Francis Rehill. Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Photograph Collection; ALBA Photo 15; Series I Photographs 1930s- 1990s, Box 2, Folder 110. Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives. Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, 70 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012, New York University Libraries.