Enlisted at the age of 31
1st ReinforcementsTrained
Avondale, AucklandPromoted Corporal
Transfer to England
Steamship RuapehuMarched in to the Company Training Camp, Falmouth
Admitted to hospital with sprained ankle
Returned to duty
Embarked for France
Admitted to hospital with bronchial catarrh
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Rouen
The Company joined the underground warfare in the North of France
Rejoined the Company
Admonished for leaving post before relieved
Detached to Mine School
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
Reduced to Sapper for inefficiency
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 Mine School
Rejoined the Company
Promoted Lance Corporal
Admitted to hospital with incised wound to the right foot
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Rejoined the Company
Granted leave
Appointed temporary 2nd Corporal
Rejoined the Company
Admitted to hospital
Relinquished appointment of temporary 2nd Corporal
Diagnosed with venereal disease
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
Rejoined the Company
Promoted 2nd Corporal
German Attacks
Spring Offensive
The Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
Admitted to hospital with jaundice
Embarked for England
Admitted to hospital
Allied Attacks
Hundred Days Offensive
The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction
Granted leave
Cessation of Hostilities
Armistice
The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory
Marched in to NZ Depot, Christchurch
Granted leave
Marched in to NZ Depot, Codford
Transfer to New Zealand
Troopship Port MelbourneEnd of Service
DemobilizationAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of William James Stanley“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, 2025 (2009), Accessed: 8 November 2025. URL: www.
