Enlisted at the age of 34
Main BodyTrained
Avondale, AucklandForfeited 5 days pay for absence from parade
Transfer to England
Steamship RuapehuMarched in to the Company Training Camp, Falmouth
Awarded 2 days confinement to barracks for absence from tattoo
Embarked for France
The Company joined the underground warfare in the North of France
Promoted Lance Corporal
The Company began the operations to connect old underground quarries in Arras in order to accommodate thousands of soldiers for an upcoming battle
Admitted to hospital with fractured ribs
Embarked for England
Admitted to hospital
Granted leave
British Offensive
Battle of Arras
The Company was employed to rebuild a major road leading to the Front during the battle
Marched in to NZ Depot, Boscombe
The Company moved to Monchy, ten kilometres east of Arras, to work on the fortification of the new front line
Reduced to Sapper for knowingly making a false statement in an absentee report
Embarked for France
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Rejoined the Company
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
Admitted to hospital with gastritis
Rejoined the Company
Promoted Lance Corporal
German Attacks
Spring Offensive
The Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
Promoted 2nd Corporal
Promoted Corporal
Allied Attacks
Hundred Days OffensiveGranted leave to the United Kingdom
Rejoined the Company
The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction
Promoted Sergeant
Cessation of Hostilities
Armistice
The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory
Discharged
Embarked for England
Marched in to NZ Sling Camp, Bulford
Severely admonished and forfeited 1 day pay by Royal Warrant for absence without leave
Transfer to New Zealand
Troopship HororataEnd of Service
DemobilizationAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of James Smith“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.
