Enlisted at the age of 33
1st ReinforcementsTrained
Avondale, AucklandPromoted 2nd Lieutenant
Transfer 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 pyrexia of unknown origin
Embarked for England
Admitted to hospital with trench fever
Granted leave
Marched in to NZ Depot, Codford
Marched in to NZ Sling Camp, Bulford
Embarked for France
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
The Company began the operations to connect old underground quarries in Arras in order to accommodate thousands of soldiers for an upcoming battle
Promoted Lieutenant
Rejoined the Company
British Offensive
Battle of Arras
The Company was employed to rebuild a major road leading to the Front during the battle
Detached to NZ Division
Rejoined the Company
The Company moved to Monchy, ten kilometres east of Arras, to work on the fortification of the new front line
Detached to the Cambrai Sector
Rejoined the Company
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
Detached to Musketry School
Rejoined the Company
Allied Attacks
Hundred Days OffensiveDetached to Chief Engineer IVth Corps
Rejoined the Company
The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction
Cessation of Hostilities
Armistice
The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory
Detached to the United Kingdom on tour of duty
Transfer to New Zealand
Troopship RuapehuEnd of Service
DemobilizationAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of James Oliver Campbell Neill“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.
