47523 - Sapper

Thomas

FINNIE

5th Reinforcements

Timeline


1917

1917

1 February

Enlistment

Otago Military District

1917

22 March

Initial training

Narrow Neck, Auckland

1917

26 April

Transfer to England

HMNZT 84 - Turakina

1917

20 July

Marched in to NZ Depot, Christchurch

1917

11 August

Embarked for France

1917

14 August

Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples

1917

6 September

Joined 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

8 August

100 Days Offensive

Allied Attacks

1918

30 August

Granted leave to United Kingdom

1918

15 September

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

10 November

Admitted to hospital with influenza

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

14 November

Rejoined the Company

1919

1919

5 January

Promoted Lance Corporal

1919

22 January

Discharged

1919

29 January

Embarked for England

1919

30 January

Marched in to NZ Depot, Larkhill

1919

15 February

Marched in to NZ Depot, Codford

1919

14 March

Transfer to New Zealand

R.M.S. Ionic

1919

24 May

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 96/0040085, Military Personnel File: Thomas FINNIE - 47523.
  • Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, Online Cenotaph He Toa Taumata Rau: Thomas FINNIE.
  • Nominal Rolls of New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Wellington, Government Printer, 1914-1919, Volume III, Roll N°62, p. 39.

How to cite this page

Anthony BYLEDBAL, “Thomas FINNIE (47523)”, New Zealand Tunnellers, 2024 (2009). Accessed: 28 March 2024. URL: https://www.nztunnellers.com/roll/details.php?id=268