21469 - Sapper

Arthur Ernest

BUTLER

2nd Reinforcements

Timeline


1916

1916

15 May

Enlistment

Auckland Military District

Initial training

Narrow Neck, Auckland

1916

26 June

Transfer to England

HMNZT 56 - Maunganui

1916

22 August

Marched in to NZ Sling Camp, Bulford

1916

16 September

Awarded 1 day detention and 2 days pay for absence without leave

1916

22 September

Embarked for France

1916

23 September

Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples

1916

16 November

From the Front

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

1917

1917

9 April

Battle of Arras

British Offensive


From the Front

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

Arras-Cambrai Road

1917

13 April

Joined the Company

1917

5 May

From the Front

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

The Billets in Monchy

1917

26 October

Granted leave to United Kingdom

1917

8 November

Admitted to hospital with myalgia

1917

28 November

Classified unfit for active service

1918

From the Front

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

The Workshop in Arras

1918

21 March

Spring Offensive

German Attacks


From the Front

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

1918

8 August

100 Days Offensive

Allied Attacks

1918

27 September

From the Front

The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction

In front of the Havrincourt Bridge

1918

11 November

Armistice

Cessation of Hostilities


From the Front

The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory

Over the Sambre River, Maubeuge

1918

28 November

Marched in to NZ Depot, Torquay

1918

29 December

Marched in to NZ Depot, Codford

1919

1919

3 February

Transfer to New Zealand

S.S. Athenic

1919

6 February

Admitted to hospital with seasickness

1919

15 February

Returned to duty

1919

29 August

Final discharge

End of Service

Decoration

British War Medal
British War Medal

Victory Medal
Victory Medal

Sources and bibliography

  • Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, Online Cenotaph He Toa Taumata Rau: Arthur Ernest BUTLER.
  • Nominal Rolls of New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Wellington, Government Printer, 1914-1919, Volume II, Roll N°34, p. 41.

How to cite this page

Anthony BYLEDBAL, “Arthur Ernest BUTLER (21469)”, New Zealand Tunnellers, 2024 (2009). Accessed: 28 March 2024. URL: https://www.nztunnellers.com/roll/details.php?id=90