Enlisted at the age of 22
3rd ReinforcementsTrained
Narrow Neck, AucklandTransfer to England
HMNZT 69 Tahiti
The Company began the operations to connect old underground quarries in Arras in order to accommodate thousands of soldiers for an upcoming battle
Awarded 2 days confinement to barracks
Marched in to NZ Depot, Boscombe
Awarded 2 days confinement to barracks and forfeited 1 day pay under Royal Warrant for absence without leave
Embarked for France
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
British Offensive
Battle of Arras
The Company was employed to rebuild a major road leading to the Front during the battle
Joined the Company
The Company moved to Monchy, ten kilometres east of Arras, to work on the fortification of the new front line
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
Granted leave to the United Kingdom
German Attacks
Spring Offensive
The Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
Rejoined the Company
Awarded 28 days Field Punishment No.1 and forfeited 17 days pay by Royal Warrant for overstaying leave
Allied Attacks
Hundred Days OffensiveAdmitted to hospital
Diagnosed with scabies
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
Granted leave to the United Kingdom
Marched in to NZ Sling Camp, Bulford
Marched in to NZ Depot, Codford
Awarded 28 days detention and forfeited 28 days pay for being in possession of stolen property and giving a false name and serial number to the police
Granted remission of 26 days detention
Transfer to New Zealand
Troopship IonicGranted sick leave
Reported to local Defence Office
Forfeited 1 day pay by Royal Warrant for absence without leave from sanatorium
End of Service
DemobilizationAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of James Petrie“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.
