Biography of Colonel John Worthy Chaplin 1840-1920
Before 23 Jul 1840 [his father] William James Chaplin (age 53) and [his mother] Elizabeth Alston were married.
On 23 Jul 1840 Colonel John Worthy Chaplin was born to William James Chaplin (age 53) and Elizabeth Alston at Ewhurst Park, Hampshire. He was educated at Harrow School.
On 13 Apr 1858 Colonel John Worthy Chaplin (age 17) entered the 67th Regiment.
On 24 Apr 1859 [his father] William James Chaplin (age 72) died.
On 21 Aug 1860 Ensign John Worthy (age 20) took part in the assault on the Taku Forts positioned at the mouth of the Pei-ho river. In overall command of the assault was Major General Sir Robert Napier whose task was to expel the Chinese from the well defended Small North Fort.
At 06:00 on 21 August 1860, Napier gave the signal for the asault to begin. The attackers surged forward crossing a dry ditch and pouring through the abatis that had been smashed by the artillery. Two wet ditches were then crossed with great difficulty and upon reaching the fort's wall the French erected ladders only to have them thrown down by the defenders. The troops, whose units had inevitably become intermingled, were crowded together at the base of the wall, being pelted with grenades, cannon shot, jars of quicklime and 'stinkpots' that gave off clouds of smoke. Desperate measures were needed urgently if the assault was to succeed. Close to the gate was Lieutenant Nathaniel Burslem and an Irishman, Private Thomas Lane, both of the 67th Regiment, who scrambled up to a narrow embrasure which they proceeded to widen, both sustaining serious wounds.
Not far away were Lieutenant Robert Rogers and Private John McDougall of the 44th Regiment who had swum the wet ditches, together with Lieutenant Edmund Lenon and Ensign John Chaplin (age 20) both of the 67th, the latter carring the Queen's Colour of the regiment. Lenon pushed his sword deep into the mud wall, supporting the hilt while Rogers used it as a step, fighting his way into the embrasure above. More men pushed their bayonets into the wall, creating a ladder up which Lenon, Chaplin (age 20) and McDougall and others clambered up to join Rogers. At about the same time Burslem and Lane broke through their embrasure on to the ramparts. Men from both regiments then swarmed through the embrasures fighting their way at the point of the bayonet up the tower's ramp enabling Chaplin (age 20) to plant his Colour on the summit. The will of the Chinese, who until this point had fought stubbornly, suddenly collapsed and it was estimated that of the fort's 500-strong garrison, 400 were either killed or wounded.
The London Gazette 22538. 13 Aug 1861. War Office.
The Queen (age 41) has been graciously pleased to signify Her intention to confer the decoration of the Victoria Cross on the under-mentioned Officers and Soldiers, whose claims to the same have been submitted for Her Majesty's approval, on account of Acts of Bravery performed by them in China, on the occasion of the assault and capture of the North Taku Fort on the 21st of August, 1860, as recorded against their several names; viz.:
Note. Table of Regiment, Rank and Name, Act of Bravery for which recommended.
67th Regiment (now of the 100th Regiment). Ensign (now Lieutenant) John Worthy Chaplin (age 21). For distinguished gallantry at the North Taku Fort. This Officer was carrying the Queen's Colour of the Regiment, and first planted the Colours on the breach made by the storming party, assisted |by Private Lane, of the 67th Regiment, and subsequently on the cavalier of the Fort, which he was the first to mount. In doing this, he was severely wounded.
In 1864 Lieutenant John Chaplin (age 23) became a Captain in the 8th Hussars, a Major in 1878.
From 1868 Captain John Chaplin (age 27) was an extra aide-de-camp to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.
On 22 Aug 1871 Colonel John Worthy Chaplin (age 31) and Isabel Thompson were married at Bishopsthorpe, Yorkshire.
In 1879 Major John Chaplin (age 38) was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and commanded the 8th Queen's Royal Irish Hussars in the Afghanistan Campaign of 1879-1880.
From 1880 until his death Colonel John Worthy Chaplin (age 39) was a member of Boodle's Club in St James's, London.
In 1883 Lieutenant-Colonel John Chaplin (age 42) became a Colonel on half-pay.
In 1884 [his daughter] Muriel Gladys Chapline Lady Jessel was born to Colonel John Worthy Chaplin (age 43) and [his wife] Isabel Thompson.
In 1887 Colonel John Worthy Chaplin (age 46) was created a Companion of the Order of the Bath.
In 1888 Colonel John Worthy Chaplin (age 47) retired. He took up residence at Kibworth Hall, where he lived for over 30 years.
In 1904 Colonel John Worthy Chaplin (age 63) was the founder and first President of Kibworth Golf Club in 1904/05. He is commemorated by the 'Chaplin Room' in the club-house in Weir Road.
On 18 Aug 1920 Colonel John Worthy Chaplin (age 80) died at Market Harborough, Leicestershire [Map]. He was buried at Kibworth villages 'New' Cemetery; his grave marked by the largest memorial in the cemetery.
On 19 Mar 1964 the Victoria Cross of Colonel John Worthy Chaplin was presented to the Hampshire Regiment by his grandson. It is now kept in the Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum, Winchester.