Enlisted at the age of 28
Main BodyTrained
Avondale, AucklandTransfer to England
Steamship RuapehuMarched in to the Company Training Camp, Falmouth
Embarked for France
The Company joined the underground warfare in the North of France
Admitted to hospital with measles
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Forfeited 1 day pay by Royal Warrant for absence without leave
Rejoined the Company
Forfeited 6 days pay and 1 day pay by Royal Warrant for absence without leave from billet
Granted leave
Rejoined the Company
The Company began the operations to connect old underground quarries in Arras in order to accommodate thousands of soldiers for an upcoming battle
Rescued after being buried in fall chalk
Admitted to hospital with back contusion
Embarked for England
Admitted to hospital
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
Forfeited 3 days pay by Royal Warrant for overstaying leave
Marched in to NZ Depot, Codford
Admitted to hospital with venereal disease
The Company moved to Monchy, ten kilometres east of Arras, to work on the fortification of the new front line
Marched in to NZ Depot, Codford
Awarded 4 days confinement to barracks, forfeited 1 day pay and 1 day pay by Royal Warrant for absence without leave and breaking into camp
Marched in to NZ Depot, Christchurch
Awarded 168 hours detention and forfeited 6 days pay by Royal Warrant for absence without leave
Awarded 168 hours detention for disorderly conduct
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
Gassed
Admitted to hospital
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Admitted to hospital
German Attacks
Spring Offensive
The Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Rejoined the Company
Sick with influenza
Returned to duty
Allied Attacks
Hundred Days OffensiveAdmitted to hospital
Embarked for England
Admitted to hospital
The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction
Forfeited 1 day pay for absence without leave
Cessation of Hostilities
Armistice
The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory
Marched in to NZ Depot, Codford
Admitted to hospital with epistaxis
Forfeited 1 day pay for absence without leave and disobeying hospital standing orders by being in possession of khaki
Transfer to New Zealand
Hospital Ship MahenoEnd of Service
DemobilizationAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of James Charles Leith“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.
