Enlisted at the age of 19
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
Granted leave
Rejoined the Company
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 Arras
The 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
Detached to Rest Camp
Rejoined the Company
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
Admitted to hospital with vein thrombosis
Embarked for England
Admitted to hospital
Marched in to NZ Depot, Boscombe
German Attacks
Spring Offensive
The Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
Embarked for France
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Rejoined the Company
Allied Attacks
Hundred Days Offensive
The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction
Cessation of Hostilities
Armistice
The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory
Discharged
Embarked for England
Marched in to NZ Depot, Larkhill
Marched in to NZ Depot, Codford
Transfer to New Zealand
Troopship IonicEnd of Service
DemobilizationAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of William James Bolster“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.
