World War ITimeline

1917

9 January

Enlisted at the age of 43

6th Reinforcements

1917

14 June

Trained

Narrow Neck, Auckland

1917

22 July

Appointed temporary Sergeant

1917

26 July

Transfer to England

HMNZT 90 Ulimaroa

1917

25 September

Marched in to NZ Depot, Christchurch

Reverted to temporary Corporal

1917

23 October

Embarked for France

Reverted to Sapper at own request

1917

27 October

Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples

1917

10 November

Joined the Company

1918

1 January

Overview of the sawmill built and operated by the New Zealand Tunnellers, located alongside a railway line, with stacks of timber and workers visible.

The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras

1918

21 March

German Attacks

Spring Offensive

Two soldiers standing outside the entrance of a shaft in a desolate area of the front line, surrounded by barren ground and war-damaged terrain.

The Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire

1918

7 August

Granted leave to Paris

1918

8 August

Allied Attacks

Hundred Days Offensive

1918

17 August

Rejoined the Company

1918

27 September

Officers of the New Zealand Tunnelling Company posing in front of a newly completed military bridge built by their men during World War I.

The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction

1918

13 October

Granted leave to the United Kingdom

1918

30 October

Rejoined the Company

1918

11 November

Cessation of Hostilities

Armistice

Military bridge built by the New Zealand Tunnellers spanning a river in the town of Cambrai; surrounding houses are a mix of intact structures and war-damaged ruins.

The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory

1919

13 January

Embarked for England

Marched in to Expeditionary Force Headquarters, London

1919

15 March

Demobilization

End of Service in the United Kingdom

How to cite this page

Anthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of John Meenan“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.nztunnellers.com/tunnellers/573/wwi-timeline