3970424 Sergeant Donald Arthur Chaplin was born on 22^nd February 1920 in West Ham, Essex; the son of Charles Arthur Chaplin and Ella Chaplin (née Hewlitt).

In 1921 the family was living at 233 Ramsay Rd, Cann Hall, Essex, London, England. Charles' father was working as a Motor Driver for the Royal Army Service Corps M T, Woolwich.

In 1939 Charles was still living in the family home at Ramsay Rd and employed as a Clerk.

On 24^th June 1944 Donald married Maisie Maud Hows at St Mary The Virgin, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, Somerset.

Less than 3 months after his marriage, in September 1944, while serving with HQ Company of the 11^th Parachute Battalion Charles jumped into the Battle of Arnhem during Operation Market Garden.

On 25^th September 1944 Charles was captured and taken POW Camp Stalag XIIA Limburg where he was given POW Number 89783.

On 26^th June 1945 Charles was finally freed from his POW captivity.

After the war, Donald and Maisie settled in the Barking area of Essex and between 1964 and 1969 were living at 51 Stratton Drive, Barking. In 1970 they had moved to 13 Quinton Close, Wallington, Sutton.

In the summer of 1993, Donald died in Sutton. Maisie survived him by 2 years, passing away in 1995.

We are still researching the life of Sergeant Chaplin. If you are a relative or have any information about him, please contact us.