37565 - Sapper

William

LAIRD

4th Reinforcements

Timeline


1916

1916

13 September

Enlistment

Wellington Military District

1917

1917

4 January

Initial training

Narrow Neck, Auckland

1917

16 February

Transfer to England

HMNZT 76 - Aparima

1917

2 May

Marched in to NZ Depot, Christchurch

1917

5 May

From the Front

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

The Billets in Monchy

1917

4 June

Embarked for France

1917

7 June

Marched in to NZ Base Depot, Etaples

1917

10 June

Joined the Company

1918

From the Front

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

The Workshop in Arras

1918

21 March

Spring Offensive

German Attacks


From the Front

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 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

100 Days Offensive

Allied Attacks

1918

13 August

Rejoined the Company

1918

27 September

From the Front

The Company experienced its newly reconversion in bridge construction

In front of the Havrincourt Bridge

1918

11 November

Armistice

Cessation of Hostilities


From the Front

The Company continued to build bridges to reconnect a fragmented territory

Over the Sambre River, Maubeuge

1918

28 December

Granted leave to United Kingdom

1919

1919

18 March

Marched in to NZ Sling Camp, Bulford

1919

4 July

Transfer to New Zealand

S.S. Port Hacking

1919

18 September

Final discharge

End of Service

Decoration

British War Medal
British War Medal

Victory Medal
Victory Medal

Sources and bibliography

  • Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, AABK 18805 W5541 114/0065808, Military Personnel File: William LAIRD - 37565.
  • Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, Online Cenotaph He Toa Taumata Rau: William LAIRD.
  • Nominal Rolls of New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Wellington, Government Printer, 1914-1919, Volume III, Roll N°55, p. 40.

How to cite this page

Anthony BYLEDBAL, “William LAIRD (37565)”, New Zealand Tunnellers, 2024 (2009). Accessed: 19 April 2024. URL: https://www.nztunnellers.com/roll/details.php?id=463