21386 - Sapper

Leonard James

COWARD

2nd Reinforcements

Timeline


1916

1916

5 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

1916

22 September

Embarked for France

1916

23 September

Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples

1916

8 November

Admitted to hospital with influenza

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

28 November

Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples

1917

1917

27 February

Granted leave to United Kingdom

1917

9 March

Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples

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

13 April

Joined the Company

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

3 January

Gassed

Admitted to hospital

1918

15 January

Embarked for England

1918

16 January

Admitted to hospital

1918

22 February

Marched in to NZ Depot, Hornchurch

1918

11 March

Forfeited 2 days pay for neglecting to obey order by travelling by train without a pass and giving a false name to the Police

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

13 May

Classified unfit for active service

1918

8 August

100 Days Offensive

Allied Attacks

1918

24 August

Transfer to New Zealand

R.M.S. Ionic

1918

25 September

Admitted to hospital at sea

1918

28 September

Returned to duty

1918

11 November

Armistice

Cessation of Hostilities

1919

1919

28 April

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: Leonard James COWARD.
  • 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, “Leonard James COWARD (21386)”, New Zealand Tunnellers, 2024 (2009). Accessed: 21 December 2024. URL: https://www.nztunnellers.com/roll/details.php?id=166