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 1 day confinement to barracks for being late at parade
Embarked for France
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Forfeited 1 day pay for absence without leave
Joined the Company
Awarded 28 days Field Punishment No.1 for drunkenness and using obscene language
Forfeited 1 day pay for being out of bounds
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
Gassed
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Classified unfit for active service on account of gas poisoning
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 England
Marched in to NZ Depot, Torquay
Transfer to New Zealand
Troopship PaparoaAllied Attacks
Hundred Days Offensive
The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction
End of Service
DemobilizationAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of William Edward Boyes“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.
