Enlisted at the age of 33
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
Granted leave
Rejoined the Company
The Company began the operations to connect old underground quarries in Arras in order to accommodate thousands of soldiers for an upcoming battle
Promoted Lance Corporal
British Offensive
Battle of ArrasThe Company was employed to rebuild a major road leading to the Front during the battle
Detached to Assistant Provost Marshal, Boulogne
Rejoined the Company
The Company moved to Monchy, ten kilometres east of Arras, to work on the fortification of the new front line
Promoted 2nd Corporal
Appointed Acting Corporal
Granted leave
Rejoined the Company
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
German Attacks
Spring OffensiveThe Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
Relinquished appointment of Acting Corporal
Allied Attacks
Hundred Days OffensiveGranted leave to the United Kingdom
Rejoined the Company
The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction
Cessation of Hostilities
ArmisticeThe Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory
Discharged
Embarked for England
Marched in to NZ Sling Camp, Bulford
Demobilization
End of Service in the United KingdomAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of David O'Keefe Kelly“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.