Enlisted at the age of 28
Main BodyTrained
Avondale, AucklandTransfer to England
Steamship RuapehuMarched in to the Company Training Camp, Falmouth
Admitted to hospital with venereal disease
The Company joined the underground warfare in the North of France
Marched in to NZ Depot, Hornchurch
Embarked for France
Joined the Company
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
Detached to Mine School
Rejoined the Company
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
Detached to Mine School
Rejoined the Company
Granted leave
Rejoined the Company
The Company was still carrying out the digging of underground premises and defences on the Front near Arras
German Attacks
Spring Offensive
The Company was engaged in the defence of Arras by digging new trenches and dug-outs under constant enemy shellfire
Detached to No.1 NZ Engineers Field Company
Allied Attacks
Hundred Days OffensiveRejoined the Company
The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction
Granted leave to the United Kingdom
Cessation of Hostilities
Armistice
The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory
Rejoined the Company
Discharged
Embarked for England
Marched in to NZ Sling Camp, Bulford
Transfer to New Zealand
Troopship HororataEnd of Service
DemobilizationAnthony Byledbal, “World War I Timeline of Matthew Butler“, New Zealand Tunnellers Website, NaN (2009), Accessed: . URL: www.
