Timeline
1915
6 October
Enlistment
Canterbury Military District
1915
11 October
Initial training
Avondale, Auckland
1915
18 December
Transfer to England
S.S. Ruapehu
1916
3 February
Marched in to the Company Training Camp, Falmouth
1916
9 March
Embarked for France
1916
16 March
From the Front
The Company joined the underground warfare in the North of France
1916
10 April
Admitted to hospital with bronchitis
1916
15 April
Rejoined the Company
1916
24 June
Detached to Mine School
1916
2 July
Rejoined the Company
1916
24 August
Granted leave
1916
1 September
Rejoined the Company
1916
9 October
Appointed acting Sergeant
1916
9 November
Appointed temporary Sergeant
1916
16 November
From the Front
The Company began the operations to connect old underground quarries in Arras in order to accommodate thousands of soldiers for an upcoming battle
1917
27 March
Promoted Sergeant
1917
9 April
Battle of Arras
British Offensive
From the Front
The Company was employed to rebuild a major road leading to the Front during the battle
1917
5 May
From the Front
The Company moved to Monchy, ten kilometres east of Arras, to work on the fortification of the new front line
1917
5 October
Severely reprimanded for being illegally on licensed premises during prohibited hours
From the Front
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
1918
21 March
Spring Offensive
German Attacks
From the Front
The Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
1918
26 June
Granted leave
1918
12 July
Rejoined the Company
1918
8 August
100 Days Offensive
Allied Attacks
1918
7 September
Admitted to hospital with venereal disease
1918
27 September
From the Front
The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction
1918
26 October
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
1918
3 November
Admitted to hospital with pyrexia of unknown origin
1918
6 November
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
1918
11 November
Armistice
Cessation of Hostilities
From the Front
The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory
1918
27 November
Transferred
No.5 NZ Light Railway Operating Section
Decoration
Distinguished Conduct Medal
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty and consistent good works over a lengthy period. When it was necessary for the safety of the line that machine-gun positions should be completed at once, he personally got out in the open and worked under shell fire the whole night. By his untiring energy and disregard of his personal safety he set a fine example to his men.”
British War Medal
Victory Medal