Posted at the age of 32
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
Awarded 10 days Field Punishment No.1 and forfeited 2 days pay for refusing to obey a lawful command and failing to attend parade
Awarded 3 days Field Punishment No.1 for refusing duty
Forfeited 4 days pay for absence from parade
Awarded 5 days Field Punishment No.1 and forfeited 5 days pay for creating a disturbance in Winter Billets on 25 October 1916
The Company began the operations to connect old underground quarries in Arras in order to accommodate thousands of soldiers for an upcoming battle
Awarded 14 days Field Punishment No.1 for disobeying the lawful command of his superior officer
Admitted to hospital with scabies
Rejoined the Company
British Offensive
Battle of ArrasThe Company was employed to rebuild a major road leading to the Front during the battle
Admitted to hospital with scabies
The Company moved to Monchy, ten kilometres east of Arras, to work on the fortification of the new front line
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Rejoined the Company
Admitted to hospital with synovitis of the right knee
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
Granted leave
Rejoined the Company
German Attacks
Spring OffensiveThe Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
Admitted to hospital with pyrexia of unknown origin
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Detached to Assistant Provost Marshal, Etaples
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Rejoined the Company
Awarded 14 days Field Punishment No.1 and forfeited 1 day pay by Royal Warrant for absence without leave
Allied Attacks
Hundred Days OffensiveThe Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction
Cessation of Hostilities
ArmisticeThe Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory
Granted leave to the United Kingdom
Rejoined the Company
Discharged
Embarked for England
Marched in to NZ Sling Camp, Bulford
Granted leave without pay
Demobilization
End of Service in the United KingdomAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of Bartholemew A. Kroesen“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.