Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1915-01-23
SERGEANT HEANEy
LIVES SHORT TINE.
After Being Promoted Lieutenant and
Recommended for Distinguished
Conduct Medal.


New York.)-Among the many heroes
OF the war who have been struck
down before they had chance to en-
JOY the reward of their bravery, was
Sergeant Heaney, of the Kings Own
Royal Lancaster Regiment, who was
killed in action two days after being
promoted lieutenant and recommend
ed for the distinguished conduct med
al, for an exploit which saved an en-
tire division
The Royal Lancasters have been
continuously in the firing line Since
the outbreak of the war and with
every man performing prodigies Of
valor 1t was difficult to single out par
ticular acts Of courage. Heancy's
chance came one day, when the situ-
tion as regards food supplies for his
division was becoming desperate
For ten whole days the roads from
the trenches to the supply depot had
been rendered impossible by the hail
y,
and no fresh provisions could be got
to the troops in the troops in the fir
ing line.
Heaney went to his major and Of
fered to take the wagons through tho
rain and shells and bring back food
He did not say he would try. He sal,
he would go and fetch the provis. .ons
The major said impossible" and
when he persisted, "sheer madness"
Nevertheless the sergeant was allow
eu to take a few comrades, and with
the wagons he set off down the shell
tor ntrack. Four miles separated
the trenches from the depot, and
every yard Of the way there and back
lay under "a devastating fire, but
Heaney got through and brought back
provisions with q loss Of only two
horses killed and one man wounded.
He was promoted to lieutenant OF
the spot, and recommended for the
D. C. MI. but two days later he was
killed in action at Ie Troquet. Staff
officers declare that he undoubtedly
saved the division from capture or an
Initiation.
'It's fine to be in the Coldstrcams,
but you don't necessarily care about
living in the cold streams" writes A.
K. Hammond Of the Coldstream
Guards, describing 23 awful days his
regiment spent in the trenches Not
a nan cared tinker's cuss for the
German shells and bullets, but to
stand for days-tw enty-three 10 be
exact-at a stretch in water, not only
above your knees, takes a lot Of stuff
fing out Of you.
1--WE dropped into a terrible place
a month ago. Nc matter whether 1t
was fine or wet, the water kept trick
ling into the trenches. AS fast as we
tried to drain our trenches they filed
up again with water that oozed
through the hillside. Life in thes"
trenches has been damnable; out it
is marvellous what one can get used
to when pushed. officers were tired
the same as ourselves and as they
took it as part Of the game. we did
likewise. Our officer has re-chrsten,
ed the battalion. He has named us
the 'amphibious brigade and says
when he gets home he will back UP
against any battalion in the British
army, or any other army, for Feats Of
endurance under any condition anyone
| likes to name. You can take it from
me that our officers, many Of whom l
am sorry 20 say have gone under nave
performca w.rders, and there IS not
man in the whole brigade Of suards
hut what would readily admit that all
the hardships the men have endured