37459 - Sapper

Robert Maxwell

ROBERTSON

3rd Reinforcements

Timeline


1916

1916

29 September

Enlistment

Otago Military District

1916

4 October

Initial training

Narrow Neck, Auckland

1916

15 November

Transfer to England

HMNZT 69 - Tahiti

1916

20 December

Admitted to hospital at sea with laryngitis

1916

31 December

Returned to duty

1917

1917

1 January

Admitted to hospital at sea with tonsillitis

1917

4 January

Returned to duty

1917

29 January

Marched in to NZ Depot, Boscombe

1917

23 February

Forfeited 1 day pay by Royal Warrant for absence without leave

1917

2 March

Embarked for France

1917

4 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

1917

8 December

Admitted to hospital

1917

29 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

3 January

Admitted to hospital with bronchitis

1918

10 January

Embarked for England

Admitted to hospital with bronchitis and pleurisy

1918

23 February

Granted leave

1918

11 March

Marched in to NZ Depot, Boscombe

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

29 May

Embarked for France

1918

31 May

Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples

1918

5 June

Rejoined the Company

1918

5 August

Admitted to hospital with bronchitis

1918

8 August

100 Days Offensive

Allied Attacks

1918

28 August

Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples

1918

3 September

Classified unfit for service in the field

1918

8 September

Embarked for England

1918

10 September

Marched in to NZ Depot, Torquay

1918

20 September

Classified unfit for active service

1918

27 September

From the Front

The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction

In front of the Havrincourt Bridge

1918

6 November

Transfer to New Zealand

S.S. Ayrshire

1918

11 November

Armistice

Cessation of Hostilities

1918

28 December

Granted sick leave

1919

1919

10 January

Reported to local Defence Office

1920

1920

28 April

Final discharge

End of Service

Decoration

British War Medal
British War Medal

Victory Medal
Victory Medal

Sources and bibliography

  • Nominal Rolls of New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Wellington, Government Printer, 1914-1919, Volume II, Roll N°45, p. 36.

How to cite this page

Anthony BYLEDBAL, “Robert Maxwell ROBERTSON (37459)”, New Zealand Tunnellers, 2024 (2009). Accessed: 22 December 2024. URL: https://www.nztunnellers.com/roll/details.php?id=729