Enlisted at the age of 20
Main BodyTrained
Avondale, AucklandTransfer to England
Steamship RuapehuMarched in to the Company Training Camp, Falmouth
Embarked for France
The Company joined the underground warfare in the North of France
The Company began the operations to connect old underground quarries in Arras in order to accommodate thousands of soldiers for an upcoming battle
British Offensive
Battle of ArrasThe Company was employed to rebuild a major road leading to the Front during the battle
The Company moved to Monchy, ten kilometres east of Arras, to work on the fortification of the new front line
Admitted to hospital with a gunshot wound to the shoulder
Embarked for England
Admitted to hospital
Marched in to NZ Depot, Hornchurch
Classified unfit for active service
Transfer to New Zealand
Hospital Ship MaramaThe Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
German Attacks
Spring OffensiveThe Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
End of Service
DemobilizationAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of Francis Walter Hillbury Swayslin Flinn“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.