Bernard David Haney

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.

Images

Ranks

Conflict Rank Regiment Branch Unit Company Date From Date To
WW1 Private Canadian Infantry Army 87th Battalion

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.