Enlisted at the age of 20
Main BodyTrained
Avondale, AucklandPromoted 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
Reverted to Sapper at own request
Admitted to hospital with pyrexia of unknown origin
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
Admitted to hospital with left arm contusion
Embarked for England
Admitted to hospital
Marched in to NZ Depot, Codford
Marched in to NZ Depot, Boscombe
Admitted to hospital with influenza
Marched in to NZ Depot, Boscombe
Admitted to hospital with bronchitis
Marched in to NZ Depot, Boscombe
British Offensive
Battle of Arras
The Company was employed to rebuild a major road leading to the Front during the battle
Forfeited 2 days pay by Royal Warrant for absence without leave
The Company moved to Monchy, ten kilometres east of Arras, to work on the fortification of the new front line
Embarked for France
Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples
Rejoined the Company
Gassed
Admitted to hospital
Embarked for England
Admitted to hospital
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
Regimental Number changed to 5/890A
Transfer to New Zealand
Troopship MaunganuiInvalided
End of Service
DemobilizationAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of Ivan Laycock“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, 2025 (2009), Accessed: 31 October 2025. URL: www.
