World War ITimeline

1917

1917
15 March

Enlisted at the age of 31

6th Reinforcements
1917
14 June

Trained

Narrow Neck, Auckland
1917
26 July

Transfer to England

HMNZT 90 Ulimaroa
1917
25 September

Marched in to NZ Depot, Christchurch

1917
13 October

Embarked for France

1917
15 October

Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples

1917
22 October

Joined the Company

1918

1918
1 January
Overview of the sawmill built and operated by the New Zealand Tunnellers, located alongside a railway line, with stacks of timber and workers visible.

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

1918
22 January

Appointed Cook

1918
21 March

German Attacks

Spring Offensive
Two soldiers standing outside the entrance of a shaft in a desolate area of the front line, surrounded by barren ground and war-damaged terrain.

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

1918
16 April

Relinquished appointment of Cook

1918
9 May

Forfeited 1 day pay for failing to parade for roll call

1918
8 August

Allied Attacks

Hundred Days Offensive
1918
27 September
Officers of the New Zealand Tunnelling Company posing in front of a newly completed military bridge built by their men during World War I.

The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction

1918
4 October

Granted leave to the United Kingdom

1918
23 October

Rejoined the Company

1918
11 November

Cessation of Hostilities

Armistice
Military bridge built by the New Zealand Tunnellers spanning a river in the town of Cambrai; surrounding houses are a mix of intact structures and war-damaged ruins.

The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory

1919

1919
22 January

Discharged

1919
29 January

Embarked for England

1919
30 January

Marched in to NZ Depot, Larkhill

1919
15 February

Marched in to NZ Depot, Codford

1919
14 March

Transfer to New Zealand

Troopship Ionic
1919
22 May

End of Service

Demobilization

How to cite this page

Anthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of James Bowden“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.nztunnellers.com/tunnellers/59/wwi-timeline