21442 - Sapper

William Humbolt Stephen

MACFARLANE

2nd Reinforcements

Timeline


1916

1916

9 January

Enlistment

Auckland Military District

1916

4 May

Initial training

Narrow Neck, Auckland

1916

26 June

Transfer to England

HMNZT 56 - Maunganui

1916

24 August

Marched in to NZ Sling Camp, Bulford

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

1916

17 November

Joined the Company

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

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

29 November

Admitted to hospital with gunshot wounds to the right shoulder and the left thigh

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

1 January

Rejoined the Company

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

7 June

Granted leave

1918

26 June

Rejoined the Company

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

31 December

Granted leave to United Kingdom

1919

1919

17 January

Marched in to NZ Sling Camp, Bulford

1919

1 February

Transfer to New Zealand

S.S. Hororata

1919

13 April

Final discharge

End of Service

Decoration

British War Medal
British War Medal

Victory Medal
Victory Medal

Sources and bibliography

  • 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, “William Humbolt Stephen MACFARLANE (21442)”, New Zealand Tunnellers, 2024 (2009). Accessed: 25 April 2024. URL: https://www.nztunnellers.com/roll/details.php?id=505