1917

1917
15 February

Enlisted at the age of 30

5th Reinforcements
1917
22 March

Trained

Narrow Neck, Auckland
1917
26 April

Transfer to England

HMNZT 84 Turakina
1917
5 May

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

1917
24 June

Admitted to hospital at sea

1917
28 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

1917
13 November

Gassed

Admitted to hospital

1917
28 November

Embarked for England

1917
2 December

Admitted to hospital

1918

1918
1 January

The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras

1918
23 January

Marched in to NZ Depot, Hornchurch

1918
21 March

German Attacks

Spring Offensive

The Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire

1918
23 May

Classified unfit for active service

1918
22 July

Marched in to NZ Depot, Torquay

1918
8 August

Allied Attacks

Hundred Days Offensive
1918
24 August

Transfer to New Zealand

Troopship Ionic
1918
27 September

The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction

1918
10 October

Granted sick leave

1918
17 October

Admitted to hospital

Granted sick leave

1918
23 October

Admitted to hospital

1918
11 November

Cessation of Hostilities

Armistice

The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory

1918
23 December

Granted sick leave

1919

1919
18 January

Reported to local Defence Office

1919
11 April

End of Service

Demobilization

How to cite this page

Anthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of William Cooper Symons“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.nztunnellers.com/tunnellers/818/wwi-timeline