World War ITimeline

1916

1916
13 September

Enlisted at the age of 26

4th Reinforcements

1917

1917
4 January

Trained

Narrow Neck, Auckland
1917
16 February

Transfer to England

HMNZT 76 Aparima
1917
9 April

British Offensive

Battle of Arras

The Company was employed to rebuild a major road leading to the Front during the battle

1917
2 May

Marched in to NZ Depot, Christchurch

1917
5 May

The Company moved to Monchy, ten kilometres east of Arras, to work on the fortification of the new front line

1917
4 June

Embarked for France

1917
7 June

Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples

1917
10 June

Joined the Company

1918

1918
1 January

The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras

1918
21 March

German Attacks

Spring Offensive

The Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire

1918
27 July

Granted leave to the United Kingdom

1918
4 August

Forfeited 10 days pay for loitering on the footpath in Sackville Street contrary to Dublin standing orders, not complying with an order, insolence to the Military Police and violently resisting escort

1918
8 August

Allied Attacks

Hundred Days Offensive
1918
13 August

Rejoined the Company

1918
27 September

The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction

1918
11 November

Cessation of Hostilities

Armistice

The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory

1918
28 December

Granted leave to the United Kingdom

1919

1919
18 March

Marched in to NZ Sling Camp, Bulford

1919
4 July

Transfer to New Zealand

Troopship Port Hacking
1919
18 September

End of Service

Demobilization

How to cite this page

Anthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of William Laird“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.nztunnellers.com/tunnellers/463/wwi-timeline