Enlisted at the age of 39
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
Forfeited 1 day pay and 1 day pay by Royal Warrant for being absent from duty
Awarded 2 days Field Punishment No.1 for drunkenness and refusing to obey a command
Forfeited 2 days pay for drunkenness and absent without leave
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 chronic alcoholism
Rejoined the Company
Detached to Mine School
Rejoined the Company
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
Admitted to hospital with epilepsy
Embarked for England
Admitted to hospital
Marched in to NZ Depot, Torquay
Classified unfit for active service on account of convulsions
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
Transfer to New Zealand
Troopship ArawaGerman Attacks
Spring Offensive
The Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
End of Service
DemobilizationAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of Thomas Smith“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.
