21415 - Sapper

James Cecil

DENCH

2nd Reinforcements

Timeline


1916

1916

3 May

Enlistment

Auckland Military District

1916

4 May

Initial training

Narrow Neck, Auckland

1916

26 June

Transfer to England

HMNZT 56 - Maunganui

1916

3 July

Forfeited 2 days pay

1916

24 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

12 October

Admitted to hospital with scabies

1916

17 October

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

1916

26 November

Admitted to hospital with tonsillitis

1916

18 December

Rejoined the Company

1917

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

1917

15 November

Granted leave to United Kingdom

1917

2 December

Rejoined the Company

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

9 April

Admitted to hospital with pharyngitis

1918

24 April

Embarked for England

Admitted to hospital

1918

4 July

Classified unfit for active service

Granted leave

1918

25 July

Marched in to NZ Depot, Torquay

1918

8 August

100 Days Offensive

Allied Attacks

1918

7 September

Transfer to New Zealand

S.S. Remuera

1918

11 November

Armistice

Cessation of Hostilities

1918

25 November

Final discharge

End of Service

Decoration

British War Medal
British War Medal

Victory Medal
Victory Medal

Sources and bibliography

  • Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, AABK 18805 W5537 28/0033276, Military Personnel File: James Cecil DENCH - 21415.
  • Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, Online Cenotaph He Toa Taumata Rau: James Cecil DENCH.
  • 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, “James Cecil DENCH (21415)”, New Zealand Tunnellers, 2024 (2009). Accessed: 29 March 2024. URL: https://www.nztunnellers.com/roll/details.php?id=203