Major Edward John Carroll was born in Ireland in May 1856. He joined the 3rd Volunteer Corps of the South Staffordshire Regiment in 1875 where he remained until 1881 when he retired at the rank of Orderly-Room Sergeant. He thereupon emigrated to the Cape Colony and joined the Kaffrarian Rifles on the formation of that regiment in 1883, with the rank of Captain. He was to become its Commanding Officer after the retirement of Colonel Rowland Bettington in 1888.

Carroll established a landing and shipping company at East London under the title E.J. Carroll and Company . For a time he was the chairman of the United Boating Company and of the East London Boating Company . He was a Free Mason and became a Past Master of the Buffalo Lodge and Past District Grand Warden of the Eastern District.

He joined the Council in October 1891 as a member for Ward 2 and was re-elected in February 1894. His seat fell vacant that year when he journeyed to England on long-leave but he was re- elected on his return, and again in 1896 but he was defeated in 1897. Carroll died on 21 September 1899 at the age of 43.

Dr Keith Tankard