Enlisted at the age of 31
Main BodyTrained
Avondale, AucklandTransfer 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
Awarded 3 days Field Punishment No.1 for creating a disturbance and escaping from custody
The Company began the operations to connect old underground quarries in Arras in order to accommodate thousands of soldiers for an upcoming battle
Granted leave to the United Kingdom
Admitted to hospital
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
Forfeited 2 days pay for neglecting to obey orders
Diagnosed with pneumonia
Granted leave
Marched in to NZ Depot, Boscombe
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
Embarked for France
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Rejoined the Company
Awarded 14 days Field Punishment No.1 for being out of billets without a pass and absence from tattoo
Admitted to hospital with a gunshot wound to the head
Embarked for England
Admitted to hospital
Allied Attacks
Hundred Days Offensive
The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction
Granted leave
Cessation of Hostilities
Armistice
The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory
Marched in to NZ Depot, Hornchurch
Appointed Cook
Relinquished appointment of Cook
Arrested on suspicion of stealing goods property of NZ Government
Sentenced to 6 months Imprisonment without Hard Labour for receiving goods knowing them to be stolen
Transfer to New Zealand
Troopship AyrshireSentence remitted
End of Service
DemobilizationAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of Basil Radcliffe“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.
