World War ITimeline

1915

1915
27 September

Enlisted at the age of 21

Main Body
1915
11 October

Trained

Avondale, Auckland
1915
18 December

Transfer to England

Steamship Ruapehu

1916

1916
3 February

Marched in to the Company Training Camp, Falmouth

1916
9 March

Embarked for France

1916
16 March

The Company joined the underground warfare in the North of France

1916
15 July

Forfeited 2 days pay for being absent from duty

1916
4 November

Granted leave to France

1916
16 November

The Company began the operations to connect old underground quarries in Arras in order to accommodate thousands of soldiers for an upcoming battle

1916
17 November

Rejoined the Company

1917

1917
16 February

Forfeited 1.5 days pay for failing to take reasonably care of his boots

1917
9 April

British Offensive

Battle of Arras

The Company was employed to rebuild a major road leading to the Front during the battle

1917
5 May

The Company moved to Monchy, ten kilometres east of Arras, to work on the fortification of the new front line

1918

1918
1 January

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

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

1918
18 July

Granted leave to the United Kingdom

1918
4 August

Rejoined the Company

1918
8 August

Allied Attacks

Hundred Days Offensive
1918
27 September

Transferred

NZ Divisional Ammunition Column

How to cite this page

Anthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of Francis John O'Brien“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.nztunnellers.com/tunnellers/638/wwi-timeline