World War ITimeline

1916

1916
15 May

Enlisted at the age of 39

2nd Reinforcements

Trained

Narrow Neck, Auckland
1916
26 June

Transfer to England

HMNZT 56 Maunganui
1916
22 August

Marched in to NZ Sling Camp, Bulford

1916
16 September

Awarded 1 day detention and 2 days pay for absence without leave

1916
22 September

Embarked for France

1916
23 September

Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples

1916
16 November

The Company began the operations to connect old underground quarries in Arras in order to accommodate thousands of soldiers for an upcoming battle

1917

1917
9 April

British Offensive

Battle of Arras

The Company was employed to rebuild a major road leading to the Front during the battle

1917
13 April

Joined the Company

1917
5 May

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

1917
26 October

Granted leave to the United Kingdom

1917
8 November

Admitted to hospital with myalgia

1917
28 November

Classified unfit for active service

1918

1918
1 January

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

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
8 August

Allied Attacks

Hundred Days Offensive
1918
27 September

The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction

1918
11 November

Cessation of Hostilities

Armistice

The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory

1918
28 November

Marched in to NZ Depot, Torquay

1918
29 December

Marched in to NZ Depot, Codford

1919

1919
3 February

Transfer to New Zealand

Troopship Athenic
1919
6 February

Admitted to hospital with seasickness

1919
15 February

Returned to duty

1919
29 August

End of Service

Demobilization

How to cite this page

Anthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of Arthur Ernest Butler“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.nztunnellers.com/tunnellers/90/wwi-timeline