James Heaney

James was born 4 July 1897 in Aghadegnan.

Pte Heaney entered the war in 1915, which entitled him to the 1914-15 Star medal; he also held the Silver War Badge as well as the Victory Medal and British War Medal. James fought in a number of key battles, including the Battle of the Somme, at which he was wounded on the 15 September and later at Arras in 1918. In March 1918, L-Cpl Heaney was awarded the Military Medal, in recognition of his actions on the 27 November 1917: 

When his Company came under a heavy fire from the flank, he went out in front and getting his Lewis gun into action, succeeded in silencing the enemy’s fire, thereby allowing his Company to get forward and saving many lives. Throughout the attack his conduct was exceptionally fine under heavy fire. When the line was withdrawn he brought his Lewis gun back intact (regimental records refer).

James married Ellen (Nellie) Walsh on the 12 January 1921 in Longford. 

After the Great War, it appears James enlisted with the National Army of the Irish Free State. 

link to Civil Record of birth; link to Civil Record of death; Longford Leader, Wounded Guardsmen; biography from sale of medals; possible entry on Irish Army Census 1922.