The AIF Project

Leonard Thomas Eaton TAPLIN

Regimental number6994
Date of birth16 December 1895
Place of birthUnley, South Australia
SchoolPrince Alfred College, Adelaide, South Australia
ReligionMethodist
OccupationElectrical engineer
Addressc/o Parramatta Electric Supply Co, Parramatta, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Next of kinFather, Charles Eaton Taplin, Towers Court, Victoria Square, Adelaide, South Australia
Enlistment date5 December 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll6 December 1915
Rank on enlistmentSapper
Unit name1st Field Company Engineers, Reinforcement 16
AWM Embarkation Roll number14/20/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT SS Makarina on 1 April 1916
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal RollAustralian Flying Corps
FateReturned to Australia 28 August 1919
Medals

Distinguished Flying Cross


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 173
Date: 7 November 1918

Discharge date12 December 1919
Other details

War service: disembarked Egypt, 3 May 1916.

Embarked for England from Alexandria, 28 May 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, 14 September 1916; taken on strength, 5th Field Company Engineers, Belgium, 9 October 1916.

Transferred to Australian Flying Corps, 30 April 1917; attached to 30th Training Squadron, 15 June 1917. Appointed 2nd Lieutenant, having graduated as a pilot, and posted to AFC, 29 September 1917.

Proceeded overseas to Egypt, 17 October 1917; taken on strength, 67th Squadron in the field, 10 November 1917. Promoted Lieutenant, 29 December 1917.

Transferred to England, 6 March 1918. Proceeded overseas to France, 27 June 1918, and posted to 4th Squadron, AFC, 4 July 1918.

Listed as missing in action, 5 September 1918; confirmed as a prisoner of war in German hands. Arrived back in England on repatriation from Germany, 28 December 1918.

Commenced return to Australia on board 'Kanowna', 28 August 1919; discharged, 12 December 1919.

Medals: Distinguished Flying Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsName recorded on Embarkation Roll as Leonard Thomas Easton TAPLIN.
Date of death8 July 1961
Age at death65
Place of burialCremated: Karrakatta Crematorium, Perth, Western Australia

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