Enlisted at the age of 31
Main BodyTrained
Avondale, AucklandPromoted Sergeant
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
Rejoined the Company from leave
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
British Offensive
Battle of ArrasThe 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 Gas School
Rejoined the Company
Nominated for training in a cadet unit
Detached on command to NZ Expeditionary Force Headquarters, London
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
Detached to No.2 Officers Cadet Battalion, Cambridge
German Attacks
Spring OffensiveThe Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
Transferred
NZ Rifle BrigadeAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of Ernest Richardson“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.