John Worthy Chaplin

John Worthy Chaplin was born at Ewhurst Park in Ramsdell, Hampshire, on 23 July 1840 and was educated at Harrow School. He entered the British Army in 1858, receiving his commission as an ensign in the 67th (South Hampshire) Regiment of Foot on 13 April that year. Because commissioned officers in the Victorian British Army did not hold enlistment service numbers, official identification rested on rank and regimental seniority. Two years after receiving his commission, the 67th Foot deployed to East Asia during the Second China War (Second Opium War) as part of the Anglo-French expedition against the Qing Dynasty.

The climax of the campaign took place on 21 August 1860 with the assault on the North Taku Fort. Twenty-year-old Ensign Chaplin was carrying the Queen's Colour of the 67th Foot under heavy artillery and small-arms fire from the fort's ramparts. Reaching a gap created by storming parties, he planted the colour on the breach to guide advancing infantry, assisted by Private Thomas Lane. Chaplin then climbed to the fort's cavalier, becoming the first Allied officer to mount the fortification and planted the regimental colours on the bastion, sustaining severe gunshot wounds to his arm and leg in the process.

His bravery at the North Taku Fort was recognised in the official citation published in the London Gazette on 13 August 1861:

"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."

Following his recovery, Chaplin was promoted to Lieutenant on 20 November 1860 and transferred to the 100th Regiment of Foot. He became a Captain in the 8th Hussars in 1864 and was promoted to Major in 1878. Between 1868 and 1874, he served as an extra aide-de-camp to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1879, he commanded the 8th Hussars during the Second Anglo-Afghan War of 1879–1880.

Chaplin was promoted to Colonel on 14 November 1883 and retired on half-pay. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1887 and placed on the retired pay list in 1888. He subsequently resided at Kibworth Hall in Leicestershire, where he lived for over thirty years and actively supported local community affairs. Colonel Chaplin died at Market Harborough in August 1920 and was buried in Kibworth New Cemetery. While historical records vary slightly on the precise date of his death, with the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association listing 19 August 1920 and other sources recording 18 August, his military legacy remains well documented. His Victoria Cross was presented to the Hampshire Regiment by his grandson on 19 March 1964 and is held on display at the Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum in Winchester.