Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph M., Chaplin a shoe trade riveter, born Hinckley, Leics. Joseph Marsh Chaplin was born in 1879 in Hinckley, Leics. In April 1881 he was residing with his widowed father at 13, King Street, Hinckley, Leics., this being the family home of his paternal grandparents, Thomas Chaplin, a general labourer, born 1836 in Nuneaton, Warwks., and his wife Martha, born 1837 in Dublin, Ireland, also living in the family home were their children, Joseph’s aunts, Elizabeth, born 1862, Jane, born 1864, Mary A., born 1869, Fanny, born 1873, Martha, born 1876 and Sarah E. born 1881, all the children were born in Hinckley, Leics. In April 1891 Joseph was residing in the family home at High Street, Earl Shilton, Leics., together with his remarried father and step mother, Elizabeth, born 1862 in Earl Shilton, Leics., together with his half blood siblings, Elizabeth, born 1885 in Hinckley, Leics., Lily, born 1887, Thomas A., born 1889 and Alice, born 1891, the latter three siblings were all born in Earl Shilton, Leics. In March 1901 Joseph was employed as a shoe trade finisher and was residing in the family home at 1, High Street, Barwell, Leics., together with his wife Mary Ann, born 1874 in Barwell, Leics., and their daughter Elsie Lucie, born 1901 in Barwell, Leics. In April 1911 Joseph was employed as a shoe trade riveter and was residing in the family home at 37, Mill Street, Barwell, Leics., together with his wife and children, Elsie, William, born 1905, Hilda May, born 1910 and Edith Ann, born 1911, all their children were born in Barwell, Leics. The War Diary for today records. BOTTOM WOOD. After a more or less slow bombardment all day including 77mm guns. The Battalion was relieved by 10th KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY and marched back to rest in FRICOURT. The day was spent resting and preparing for the attack on the morrow.