World War ITimeline

1917

24 March

Enlisted at the age of 37

5th Reinforcements

Trained

Narrow Neck, Auckland

1917

26 April

Transfer to England

HMNZT 84 Turakina

1917

30 April

Admitted to hospital at sea with venereal disease

1917

5 May

A group of New Zealand Tunnellers posing inside their billet in an underground quarry near the front line; four of them are playing cards while others look on.

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

1917

10 May

Returned to duty

1917

20 July

Marched in to NZ Depot, Christchurch

1917

11 August

Embarked for France

1917

14 August

Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples

1917

6 September

Joined the Company

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

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

9 May

Forfeited 1 day pay for absence from tattoo roll call

1918

8 August

Allied Attacks

Hundred Days Offensive

1918

30 August

Granted leave to the United Kingdom

1918

18 September

Rejoined the Company

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

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

1918

29 December

Admitted to hospital with venereal disease

1919

7 March

Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Rouen

1919

12 March

Embarked for England

Admitted to hospital with venereal disease

1919

7 May

Marched in to NZ Sling Camp, Bulford

1919

9 May

Admitted to hospital with venereal disease

1919

23 July

Marched in to NZ Sling Camp, Bulford

1919

12 September

Transfer to New Zealand

Troopship Remuera

1919

23 November

End of Service

Demobilization

How to cite this page

Anthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of William Paterson“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.nztunnellers.com/tunnellers/663/wwi-timeline