Enlisted at the age of 39
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
Admitted to hospital with fever
Rejoined the Company
Granted leave
The Company began the operations to connect old underground quarries in Arras in order to accommodate thousands of soldiers for an upcoming battle
Rejoined the Company
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
Granted leave
Rejoined the Company
Embarked for England on duty furlough
Marched in to NZ Expeditionary Force Headquarters, London
Marched in to NZ Depot, Torquay
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
Transfer to New Zealand
Troopship MaunganuiGranted indefinite leave
German Attacks
Spring Offensive
The Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
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
End of Service
DemobilizationAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of John Edward McManus“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.
