Enlisted at the age of 33
3rd ReinforcementsTrained
Narrow Neck, AucklandTransfer to England
HMNZT 69 Tahiti
The Company began the operations to connect old underground quarries in Arras in order to accommodate thousands of soldiers for an upcoming battle
Admitted to hospital at sea with tonsillitis
Returned to duty
Admitted to hospital at sea with enteritis
Returned to duty
Marched in to NZ Depot, Boscombe
Embarked for France
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Admitted to hospital with haemorrhoids
British Offensive
Battle of Arras
The Company was employed to rebuild a major road leading to the Front during the battle
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
The Company moved to Monchy, ten kilometres east of Arras, to work on the fortification of the new front line
Joined the Company
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
Granted leave
Rejoined the Company
German Attacks
Spring Offensive
The Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
Detached to Musketry School
Rejoined the Company
Allied Attacks
Hundred Days OffensiveDetached to Chief Engineer IVth Corps
Rejoined the Company
The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction
Cessation of Hostilities
Armistice
The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory
Granted leave to the United Kingdom
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Discharged
Rejoined the Company
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 John William Ryan“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.
