| Accession Number | H00003 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Maker |
Lekegian & Co |
| Place made | Egypt: Cairo |
| Date made | c 1915-1916 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait of Lieutenant (Lt) Archibald Stevens Taplin, 17th Battalion from Melbourne, ...
Description
Studio portrait of Lieutenant (Lt) Archibald Stevens Taplin, 17th Battalion from Melbourne, Victoria (originally from Brislington, Bristol, England). A 31 year old traveller prior to enlisting on 13 December 1914, he embarked for overseas as a Private (service number 50) with the 2nd Battalion, Tropical Unit (Queensland quota) from Sydney on 28 November 1914 aboard SS Eastern. After serving in German New Guinea he returned to Australia and was promoted to Company Quartermaster Sergeant (CQMS) on 29 March 1915. He again embarked for overseas as a CQMS (service number 345) with A Company, 17th Battalion from Sydney on 12 May 1915 aboard HMAT Themistocles. While serving at Gallipoli, he was appointed a Second Lieutenant on 3 November 1915. After serving with the 5th Division Infantry in Egypt and receiving further training in England, he was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 January 1917. He rejoined the 17th Battalion in France on 22 March 1917 and was killed in action at Bullecourt on 3 May 1917. Lt Taplin is buried in the Queant Road British Cemetery, France.