Private Bernard David Haney
Killed in Action in WW1
Date of Death:
Service Biography
Private Bernard David Haney, the son of George Haney and Agnes (Come) Haney who were farming near Havelock. He was the youngest person from the area to die in the war. He lied about his name and age and enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces, 5 days shy of his 16th birthday, using the name Bernard “Heny”. He was relatively tall (5'8") and although his photograph makes him look quite young, his statement was taken at face value, even though he misspelled his alias and had to cross out his real name on his enlistment papers. Private Haney was killed on October 22 attacking Regina Trench, in what was probably his first battle, 8 months after signing his enlistment papers in St. Jean. His body was never found or identified and he is listed on the Vimy Memorial with other Canadians that have no known grave.
General Information
Conflict:
WW1
Regimental No.:
178239
Cause of Death (in war):
Killed in Action
Branch:
Army
Regiment:
Canadian Infantry
Battalion:
87th Battalion
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
Havelock, Quebec
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
15 years 11 months
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
16 years 7 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
16 years 7 months
Country Born:
Canada
Trade or Calling:
Farmer
Next of Kin:
Was the son of son of George Haney and Agnes (Come) Haney. NOK listed as Francis Heny, Brother, Hemmingford, Quebec
Address at Enlistment:
Listed as, Hemmingford, Quebec
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Place of Enlistment:
Saint-Jean, Quebec
Was a Prisoner of War:
Height:
5 ft 8.0 in / 173 cm
Weight:
Chest:
35.5 in / 90 cm
Expansion:
2.5 in / 6 cm
Marital Status:
Single
Prior Military Experience:
No
Saw Service in:
Europe
Place of Discharge:
Discharge Type:
Died in Service
Discharge Notes:
Battle Died/Wounded:
Attack on the Regina Trench in the Courcelette part of the Somme
Length of Service:
242 days in service
Buried at:
Plot:
N/A
Links
Images
Bernard David Haney
Ranks
| Conflict |
Rank |
Regiment |
Branch |
Unit |
Company |
Date From |
Date To |
| WW1 |
Private |
Canadian Infantry |
Army |
87th Battalion |
|
|
|
Available Transcriptions
| Type |
Date |
Published |
Headline |
| News Clipping |
|
|
Unveiling of the Soldiers Monument in Huntingdon |
Notes
Private Haney lied about his name and age and enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces when he was 15 years old, 5 days shy of his 16th birthday. He enlisted under the name of Bernard Heny. He was relitively tall (5'8") and must have looked 18, as his statement was taken at face value, even though he mispelled his alias and had to cross out his real name on his enlistment papers.
On 22 October the 87th was attacking the Regina Trench in the Courcelette part of the Somme, of which they captured a significant part. Private Haney (listed as Henry in the Regimental Diary) is listed as missing in what was possibly his first battle. It is likely that his body was never found or identified as he is listed on the Vimy Memorial with the other Canadians that have no known grave.
Private Haney was the son of George Haney and Agnes (Come) Haney who were farming near Havelock.
Additional Service Notes
Additional Next of Kin Notes
Research Notes
Enlisted as Bernard Heny. Known in the unit as Henry. Possibly born in Hemmingford, Quebec. May have had brother George.
