Enlisted at the age of 22
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
Admitted to hospital
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
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
Reverted to Sapper at own request
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
Detached on command to NZ Expeditionary Force Headquarters, London
Marched in to NZ Depot, Boscombe
German Attacks
Spring Offensive
The Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
Transferred
Temporary Imperial Commission in the Royal Naval Volunteer ReserveAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of Eric Joseph Spraggon“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.
