Enlisted at the age of 39
Main BodyTrained
Avondale, AucklandTransfer to England
Steamship RuapehuMarched in to the Company Training Camp, Falmouth
Stationed at Falmouth
The Company joined the underground warfare in the North of France
Marched in to NZ Depot, Hornchurch
Awarded 9 days detention and forfeited 9 days pay by Royal Warrant for absence without leave
Embarked for France
Rejoined the Company
Awarded 5 days Field Punishment No.1 for being in possession of a bottle of rum and not complying with an order
Forfeited 7 days pay for absence from parade
Forfeited 1 day pay for appearing in street improperly dressed
Forfeited 2 days pay for drunkenness
Forfeited 3 days pay for being out of bounds without a pass
Sentenced to 18 months Imprisonment with Hard Labour for striking his superior officer in the execution of his office and disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer
The Company began the operations to connect old underground quarries in Arras in order to accommodate thousands of soldiers for an upcoming battle
18 months Imprisonment with Hard Labour quashed
Admitted to hospital with venereal disease
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
British Offensive
Battle of ArrasThe Company was employed to rebuild a major road leading to the Front during the battle
Rejoined the Company
The Company moved to Monchy, ten kilometres east of Arras, to work on the fortification of the new front line
Injured by fall of chalk but remained with the Company
Granted leave
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
Rejoined the Company
German Attacks
Spring OffensiveThe Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
Admitted to hospital
Diagnosed with bronchitis
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Awarded 3 days confinement to barracks for absence from tattoo
Forfeited 4 days pay for gambling
Classified unfit for active service
Embarked for England
Marched in to NZ Depot, Torquay
Awarded 4 days confinement to barracks and forfeited 4 days pay for absence without leave
Transfer to New Zealand
Troopship PaparoaEnd of Service
DemobilizationAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of Edward William Hartland “, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.