George Plunkett Chaplin died in Liverpool on December 13th, 1943, at the age of 70.
He obtained his technical training at Armstrong College. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and graduated B.Sc. in mining engineering in 1897.
He then went to Russia and worked in the Urals with the Société des Mines d’Or d‘Ouspenski until 1900, when he left for Mexico. There he was engaged for five years as assistant manager and manager of several mines, and also reported on mines and prospects for local people.
Returning to England in 1905, he next took an appointment with Bogosu Gold Mines, Ltd., Gold Coast, and was later transferred to the nearby Broomassie mine as mill manager. In 1907 he went to Colombia, first as assistant manager and later as manager to the Frontino and Bolivia Gold Mining Company, Ltd., where he remained for three years. On his return to England in 1910 he was engaged by Messrs. Bruce, Marriott & Co. as an examining engineer, and reported on various gold, nickel and silver-lead mines until the outbreak of war.
In 1914 he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery, and commanded the 139 Siege Battery in France and the Heavy Group R.A. at Aden. He was mentioned in despatches and was demobilized with the rank of major in 1919.
After two years’ field work with British Controlled Oilfields, Ltd., Mr. Chaplin was appointed manager of Indo-Burma (1920) Oilfields, Ltd., where he remained until 1924. For a year he reported on mineral properties for Messrs. A.W. Ibbett & Partners, and for three years was assistant manager of Panama Corporation. In 1929 he returned to Colombia as manager of the Carmen Valley Gold Mines, Ltd., a post which he held for two years, and in 1934-35 he again worked on the Gold Coast. From 1935 to 1937 he was manager of Gabait gold mines in the Sudan, and from 1939 to 1940 was underground and mill superintendent at the Whitewater mines, Dutch Guiana.
His second war service was in the Postal Censorship Department, where he was still engaged at the time of his death.
Mr. Chaplin was elected an Associate of the Institution in 1907 and was transferred to Membership in 1920.
Vol. 54, Trans I.M.M. 1944-45, pp. 261-2
