World War ITimeline

1917

20 March

Enlisted at the age of 35

5th Reinforcements

1917

22 March

Trained

Narrow Neck, Auckland

1917

26 April

Transfer to England

HMNZT 84 Turakina

1917

5 May

A group of New Zealand Tunnellers posing inside their billet in an underground quarry near the front line; four of them are playing cards while others look on.

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

1917

4 June

Admitted to hospital at sea

1917

8 June

Returned to duty

1917

20 July

Marched in to NZ Depot, Christchurch

1917

11 August

Embarked for France

1917

14 August

Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples

1917

6 September

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

17 February

Gassed

Admitted to hospital

1918

26 February

Embarked for England

Admitted to hospital

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

28 May

Granted leave

1918

7 June

Classified unfit for active service on account of chronic gastritis

1918

11 June

Marched in to NZ Depot, Torquay

Awarded 4 days confinement to barracks for failing to salute an officer during his leave

1918

8 August

Transfer to New Zealand

Troopship Paparoa

1918

10 December

End of Service

Demobilization

How to cite this page

Anthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of George Russell“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.nztunnellers.com/tunnellers/745/wwi-timeline