Enlisted at the age of 36
1st ReinforcementsTrained
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 sore throat
Rejoined the Company
Admitted to hospital
Rejoined the Company
Admitted to hospital with pyrexia
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
Detached to Mine School
Rejoined the Company
British Offensive
Battle of ArrasThe Company was employed to rebuild a major road leading to the Front during the battle
Detached to Mine School
The Company moved to Monchy, ten kilometres east of Arras, to work on the fortification of the new front line
Rejoined the Company
Promoted Lance Corporal
Granted leave
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 pyrexia of unknown origin
Rejoined the Company
Promoted 2nd Corporal
German Attacks
Spring OffensiveThe Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
Allied Attacks
Hundred Days OffensiveGranted leave to the United Kingdom
The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction
Rejoined the Company
Cessation of Hostilities
ArmisticeThe Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory
Admitted to hospital with pyrexia of unknown origin
Diagnosed with influenza
Embarked for England
Admitted to hospital
Marched in to NZ Depot, Hornchurch
Transfer to New Zealand
Troopship IonicEnd of Service
DemobilizationAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of William Ormiston“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.