Enlisted at the age of 25
1st ReinforcementsTrained
Avondale, AucklandFined 10/- and leave stopped for 10 days for drunkenness
Transfer to England
Steamship RuapehuMarched in to the Company Training Camp, Falmouth
Awarded 18 days Field Punishment No.2 for drunkenness and disorderly conduct
Embarked for France
The Company joined the underground warfare in the North of France
Forfeited 4 days pay for absence from parade
Granted leave
Rejoined the Company
Admitted to hospital with hernia
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Awarded 28 days Field Punishment No.1 and forfeited 1 day pay by Royal Warrant for absence without leave
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 with hernia
Embarked for England
Admitted to hospital
Awarded 4 days confinement to barracks for absence without leave
Awarded 4 days confinement to barracks for absence without leave
Granted leave
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
Awarded 18 days Field Punishment No.2 and 14 days confinement to barracks for breaking out of camp, absence without leave and breaking into camp
Embarked for France
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Rejoined the Company
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
Promoted Lance Corporal
German Attacks
Spring Offensive
The Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
Admitted to hospital with influenza
Rejoined the Company
Allied Attacks
Hundred Days OffensiveAdmitted to hospital with venereal disease while on leave to the United Kingdom
The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction
Cessation of Hostilities
Armistice
The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory
Marched in to NZ Sling Camp, Bulford
Marched in to NZ Depot, Codford
Transfer to New Zealand
Troopship IonicEnd of Service
DemobilizationAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of David Alexander Leith“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.
