World War ITimeline

1915

1915
5 October

Enlisted at the age of 40

1st Reinforcements
1915
11 October

Trained

Avondale, Auckland
1915
18 December

Transfer to England

Steamship Ruapehu

1916

1916
3 February

Marched in to the Company Training Camp, Falmouth

1916
9 March

Embarked for France

1916
16 March

The Company joined the underground warfare in the North of France

1916
24 June

Detached to Mine School

1916
2 July

Rejoined the Company

1916
27 August

Detached to Mine School

1916
1 September

Rejoined the Company

1916
13 October

Granted leave

1916
12 November

Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples

Admitted to hospital with venereal disease

1916
16 November

The Company began the operations to connect old underground quarries in Arras in order to accommodate thousands of soldiers for an upcoming battle

1916
24 December

Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples

1917

1917
26 March

Awarded 14 days Field Punishment No.2 for being out of bounds and being in a private house against the wish of the inhabitants

1917
9 April

British Offensive

Battle of Arras

The Company was employed to rebuild a major road leading to the Front during the battle

1917
13 April

Rejoined the Company

1917
22 April

Detached to Mine School

1917
3 May

Rejoined the Company

1917
5 May

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

1917
25 May

Promoted Lance Corporal

1917
16 November

Appointed temporary 2nd Corporal

1917
12 December

Promoted 2nd Corporal

1917
16 December

Gassed

Admitted to hospital

1918

1918
1 January

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

1918
4 January

Embarked for England

Admitted to hospital

1918
21 March

German Attacks

Spring Offensive

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

1918
6 May

Granted leave

1918
21 May

Marched in to NZ Depot, Codford

1918
23 May

Admitted to hospital with chronic inflammation of lungs

1918
8 August

Allied Attacks

Hundred Days Offensive
1918
14 August

Classified unfit for active service

1918
17 August

Marched in to NZ Depot, Torquay

1918
27 September

The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction

1918
7 November

Transfer to New Zealand

Troopship Ulimaroa

1919

1919
21 February

End of Service

Demobilization

How to cite this page

Anthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of John Turnbull“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.nztunnellers.com/tunnellers/865/wwi-timeline