21434 - 2nd Corporal

Robert Samuel

COOPER

2nd Reinforcements

Timeline


1916

1916

4 May

Enlistment

Auckland Military District

Initial training

Narrow Neck, Auckland

1916

26 June

Transfer to England

HMNZT 56 - Maunganui

1916

22 August

Marched in to NZ Sling Camp, Bulford

Reverted to Sapper

1916

22 September

Embarked for France

1916

23 September

Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples

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

1916

17 November

Joined the Company

1917

1917

22 March

Detached to Mine School

1917

1 April

Rejoined the Company

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

Arras-Cambrai Road

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

The Billets in Monchy
1918

From the Front

The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras

The Workshop in 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 May

Detached to No.1 NZ Engineers Field Company

1918

18 June

Forfeited 7 days pay for not wearing his box respirator

1918

1 July

Rejoined the Company

1918

8 August

100 Days Offensive

Allied Attacks

Granted leave to United Kingdom

1918

24 August

Rejoined the Company

1918

27 September

From the Front

The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction

In front of the Havrincourt Bridge

1918

11 November

Armistice

Cessation of Hostilities


From the Front

The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory

Over the Sambre River, Maubeuge

1918

29 December

Discharged

1918

30 December

Embarked for England

Marched in to NZ Depot, Codford

1919

1919

25 January

Transfer to New Zealand

S.S. Port Melbourne

1920

1920

9 February

Final discharge

End of Service

Decoration

British War Medal
British War Medal

Victory Medal
Victory Medal

Sources and bibliography

  • Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, Online Cenotaph He Toa Taumata Rau: Robert Samuel COOPER.
  • Nominal Rolls of New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Wellington, Government Printer, 1914-1919, Volume II, Roll N°34, p. 41.

How to cite this page

Anthony BYLEDBAL, “Robert Samuel COOPER (21434)”, New Zealand Tunnellers, 2024 (2009). Accessed: 28 March 2024. URL: https://www.nztunnellers.com/roll/details.php?id=156