Enlisted at the age of 31
Main BodyTrained
Avondale, AucklandPromoted 2nd Corporal
Transfer 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
Forfeited 2 days pay for conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline
Admitted to hospital with mumps
Diagnosed with cyst
Rejoined the Company
Admitted to hospital with abscess
Rejoined the Company
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
Reverted to Sapper at own request
Admitted to hospital in England with scabies while on leave
British Offensive
Battle of Arras
The Company was employed to rebuild a major road leading to the Front during the battle
Detached to Assistant Provost Marshal, London
Admitted to hospital with scabies
Detached to Assistant Provost Marshal, London
Admitted to hospital with venereal disease
The Company moved to Monchy, ten kilometres east of Arras, to work on the fortification of the new front line
Detached to Assistant Provost Marshal, London
Rejoined the Company
Admitted to hospital with head wound caused by falling chalk rubble
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Rejoined the Company
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
German Attacks
Spring Offensive
The Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
Granted leave
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
Detached to Military Prison as escort
Rejoined the Company
Discharged
Embarked for England
Marched in to NZ Sling Camp, Bulford
Transfer to New Zealand
Troopship HororataEnd of Service
DemobilizationAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of John Ryan“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.
