Enlisted at the age of 20
3rd ReinforcementsTrained
Narrow Neck, AucklandTransfer to England
HMNZT 69 Tahiti
The Company began the operations to connect old underground quarries in Arras in order to accommodate thousands of soldiers for an upcoming battle
Admitted to hospital at sea with venereal disease
Returned to duty
Marched in to NZ Depot, Boscombe
Admitted to hospital
Diagnosed with pneumonia
British Offensive
Battle of Arras
The Company was employed to rebuild a major road leading to the Front during the battle
Marched in to NZ Depot, Boscombe
The Company moved to Monchy, ten kilometres east of Arras, to work on the fortification of the new front line
Admitted to hospital with asthma
Granted leave to the United Kingdom
Marched in to NZ Depot, Christchurch
Admitted to hospital with venereal disease
Marched in to NZ Depot, Christchurch
Embarked for France
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Joined the Company
Admitted to hospital with asthma
Embarked for England
Admitted to hospital
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
Granted leave to the United Kingdom
Marched in to NZ Depot, Torquay
Classified unfit for active service
Transfer to New Zealand
Troopship RemueraGerman Attacks
Spring Offensive
The Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
End of Service
DemobilizationAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of Lester Leonard Earnshaw“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.
