4/1264 - Sapper

Gordon Percival

GRAYDON

Main Body - Section No.1

Timeline


1915

1915

6 October

Enlistment

Auckland Military District

1915

11 October

Initial training

Avondale, Auckland

1915

8 December

Promoted Lance Corporal

1915

18 December

Transfer to England

S.S. Ruapehu

1916

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

Chantecler, Sector of Arras

1916

19 October

Severely reprimanded for failing to carry out an order

1916

23 October

Reverted to Sapper at own request

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

1917

17 January

Admitted to hospital with dental problem

1917

19 January

Rejoined the Company

1917

25 March

Admitted to hospital with dental problem

1917

27 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

Rejoined 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

1917

12 June

Admitted to hospital with inflamed ear

1917

18 June

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

17 February

Promoted Lance Corporal

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

22 March

Granted leave

1918

25 March

Cancelled leave

Rejoined the Company

1918

18 May

Appointed temporary 2nd Corporal

1918

18 June

Granted leave to United Kingdom

1918

2 July

Admitted to hospital with influenza

1918

11 July

Detached to Assistant Provost Marshal, London

1918

15 July

Rejoined the Company

1918

8 August

100 Days Offensive

Allied Attacks

1918

26 September

Detached to IVth Corps School

1918

27 September

From the Front

The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction

In front of the Havrincourt Bridge

1918

14 October

Rejoined the Company

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

23 December

Promoted 2nd Corporal

1918

27 December

Discharged

1919

1919

1 January

Embarked for England

1919

2 January

Marched in to NZ Sling Camp, Bulford

1919

15 February

Marched in to NZ Depot, Codford

1919

14 March

Transfer to New Zealand

R.M.S. Ionic

1919

22 May

Final discharge

End of Service

Decoration

British War Medal
British War Medal

Victory Medal
Victory Medal

Sources and bibliography

  • Nominal Roll of New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 1915. New Zealand Engineers Tunnelling Company, Wellington, Government Printer, 1916, p. 2.

How to cite this page

Anthony BYLEDBAL, “Gordon Percival GRAYDON (4/1264)”, New Zealand Tunnellers, 2024 (2009). Accessed: 22 December 2024. URL: https://www.nztunnellers.com/roll/details.php?id=328