Pte
David Stanley Tamplin

Information about birth

Date of birth:
06/03/1894
Place of birth:
Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales, United Kingdom

General information

Profession:
Shoemaker

Army information

Country:
Wales, United Kingdom
Force:
British Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
302282
Enlistment place:
Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, United Kingdom
Units:
 —  Manchester Regiment, 2/8th Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
09/10/1917
Place of death:
Berlin Wood, Passchendaele, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
23

Memorial

Tyne Cot Memorial
Panel: 124A

Distinctions and medals 2

British War Medal
Medal — 26/03/1920
Victory Medal
Medal — 26/03/1920

Points of interest 3

#1 Place of birth
#2 Enlistment place
#3 Place of death (approximate)

My story

David Tamplin was born on the 6th of March 1894 in Chepstow, Wales, Monmouthshire. His known occupation before the outbreak of war was a Bootmaker, following in his father’s footsteps. During the war Private David Stanley Tamplin served in the Manchester Regiment, 2/8th Battalion, part of the 199th (Manchester) Brigade, of the 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division.

On the 9th of October 1917, the 66th Division participated in the Battle of Poelcappelle, a stage of the Third Battle of Ypres. It advanced from positions around Hamburg Farm through Augustus Wood towards the village of Passendaele. The Division attacked with the 197th and 198th Brigades; the 199th Brigade was in support.

At 1 a.m. the 2/8th Battalion took over the trenches on the left. They were in support and by 6.30 a.m. the men were ready in case they had to attack. While waiting in support about 2 companies of the 1/5th Battalion K.O.Y.L.I who had lost their direction arrived at their lines. They were then directed to a neighbouring West Riding Battalion.

By 12.27 p.m. the 2/8th Battalion was holding the old British line near Berlin Wood in support of the 198th Brigade. Their orders were to cover the left of the divisional front from Berlin Wood until touch was obtained with 2/5th Battalion on the right. However the 2/5th Battalion failed to take position and the Battalion covered a front of about 800 yards.

While covering the left of the attack from Berlin Wood the Battalion was shelled continuously for 6 hours and the intensity of the fire was increased. Heavy casualties were reported.

Private David Stanley Tamplin was killed in action on 9 October 1917. The 23-year-old was one of 82 casualties of the 2/8th Battalion on this day. He possibly fell due to German shelling on the Berlin Wood area. David Tamplin has no known grave and is remembered in the Tyn Cot Memorial.

Files 2

Sources 2

2/8 Battalion Manchester Regiment, (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/3145/4).
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14303
Further reference
McCarthy C., Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account, (London, Uniform, 2018), pg. 120-122.
Sources used

More information 3