Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Pymm, an ironstone quarry worker, born 1864 in Asfordby, Leics., and his wife Elizabeth Ann Pymm (nee Wormall, married in the 4th quarter of 1890 in the Melton Mowbray, Leics. district), born 1870 in Wymondham, Rutland. Joseph Charles Pymm was born on the 5th May 1900 in Long Clawson, Leics., his siblings were, Lucy Annie, born 1891 In Leics., Mary Elizabeth, born 1893 and Florence, born 1894, the latter two siblings were both born in Cropwell Butler, Notts., and Gladys May, born 1898 in Long Clawson, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Melton Road, Long Clawson, Leics. Joseph’s father died age 43 in the 1st quarter of 1907 in the Nottingham district. His widowed mother married Herbert Tinsley in the 3rd quarter of 1909 in the Melton Mowbray, Leics. district. In April 1911 Joseph was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at The City, Long Clawson, Leicester together with his step father, Herbert Tinsley, an ironstone labourer, born 1877 in Long Clawson, Leics., and his mother and siblings, Florence, Sidney Harold, born 1902, Samuel, born 1904 and Arthur Leslie, born 1906, the latter three siblings were all born in Long Clawson, Leics.
Joseph enlisted into the Royal Marines on the 29th May 1917 in Birmingham, his reckonable service to commence on the 4th May 1918, he was allocated the service number 19617. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5½ inches in height and his complexion was described as sallow, his hair colour was dark brown and his eyes were grey. He gave his date and place of birth as the 5th May 1900 in Waltham, Melton Mowbray, Leics., he gave his trade or calling as farm labourer and his religion as Wesleyan. He gave his mother, Elizabeth of Long Clawson, Melton Mowbray, Leics., as his next of kin. His record of service began when he joined the Recruit Depot in Deal, Kent as a Private on the 29/5/17 – 12/12/17, when he was transferred. Plymouth Division, 13/12/17 – 13/5/18, when he embarked. HMS Cumberland, 14/5/18 – 30/9/18, when he died of influenza.
On Friday October 4th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LONG CLAWSON.” – SOLDIER’S DEATH. – Much regret is expressed throughout the village on the sad news of the sudden death of Pte. Charles Pymm, of the Royal Marine Light Infantry. He was recently at home on leave, therefore the news came as a shock to all who had so recently seen and chatted with him, when he appeared in the best of health and spirits. Much sympathy is expressed with his mother and relatives in their grief.
On Friday October 11th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LONG CLAWSON.” – MARINE’S FUNERAL. – The remains of Pte. Joseph Chas. Pymm were reverently laid to rest on Saturday, the Rev. J. S. Gardner, M.A., Vicar, conducting the solemn rite. The coffin furnished with brass, was inscribed “Pte. Joseph Chas. Pymm, died Sept. 30th, 1918, aged 18 years,” the Union Jack being the pall. The bearers were Messrs. E. Tinsley, E. Isam, J. Wilford and W. Tucker. The mourners included Mr. and Mrs. H. Tinsley (mother and stepfather), Herbert, Harold, Samuel, Leslie and Albert (brothers), Lizzie (sister), Mr. J. Turner, Mrs. M. Pymm, Mrs. Hunt, Miss Hunt and four guards from Clawson Prisoners of War Camp. There was a large congregation to show their last respect, also many floral tributes. On Sunday the Vicar made touching reference to the deceased, as did Mr. Black at the Primitive Chapel where deceased was a Sunday scholar.