Joseph was born in 1900 in Stamford, Lincolnshire. His parents were John & Caroline (nee Barwell) Chamberlain and in 1901 they were living at 3 Ladysmith Cottages, Empingham Road, Stamford, where his father was a limestone quarryman. In 1911, Joseph was 11 and the family were living at 12 St George’s Square, Stamford. His father was now a farm labourer. In all there were 6 children – 5 boys and 1 girl and Joseph was the 4th eldest but there were only 4 still living at home in 1911.

Joseph’s war service records have not been found. The publication ‘Stamford and the Great War’ records that ‘Jos Wm Chamberlain’ mobilised with the 53rd Leicesters (Young Soldier Battalion) in 1918.

In 1927 Joseph married Elsie M Smith in Oakham, Rutland and Joseph died in Oakham in 1961.