Enlisted at the age of 26
Main BodyTrained
Avondale, AucklandTransfer to England
Steamship RuapehuAppointed Cook
Marched in to the Company Training Camp, Falmouth
Embarked for France
The Company joined the underground warfare in the North of France
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
British Offensive
Battle of Arras
The Company was employed to rebuild a major road leading to the Front during the battle
The Company moved to Monchy, ten kilometres east of Arras, to work on the fortification of the new front line
Granted leave
Rejoined the Company
Awarded 14 days Field Punishment No.1 and forfeited 8 days pay by Royal Warrant for failing to parade at Victoria Station and overstaying leave
Admitted to hospital with venereal disease
Relinquished appointment of Cook
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Admitted to hospital with venereal disease
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Appointed Cook
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
German Attacks
Spring Offensive
The Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
Relinquished appointment of Cook
Detached to 3rd NZ Entrenching Battalion Headquarters
Rejoined the Company
Sick with influenza
Returned to duty
Allied Attacks
Hundred Days OffensiveGranted leave to the United Kingdom
The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction
Rejoined the Company
Cessation of Hostilities
Armistice
The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory
Appointed Cook
Transferred
No.1 NZ Field BakeryRelinquished appointment of Cook
Anthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of John William McDonald“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.
