Enlisted at the age of 33
Main BodyTrained
Avondale, AucklandTransfer to England
Steamship RuapehuMarched in to the Company Training Camp, Falmouth
The Company joined the underground warfare in the North of France
Awarded 14 days detention and forfeited 42 days pay for absence without leave
Awarded 7 days confinement to barracks and forfeited 1 day pay for absence without leave, using filthy language and possession of false pass
Embarked for France
Rejoined the Company
Forfeited 3 days pay for absence without leave and disobedience
Admitted to hospital
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
British Offensive
Battle of ArrasThe 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
Promoted Lance Corporal
Appointed temporary 2nd Corporal
Relinquished appointment of temporary 2nd Corporal
Reverted to Sapper for absence without leave from billets
Forfeited 2 days pay for absence without leave
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
Awarded 6 days Field Punishment No.1 for absence without leave
German Attacks
Spring OffensiveThe Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
Awarded 13 days Field Punishment No.1 and forfeited 3 days pay by Royal Warrant for absence without leave
Transferred
2nd NZ Entrenching BattalionAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of James Baxter Ker“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.