Jan 31, 1894

Born to James Henry and Ellen Sophronia (nee Downing) Blaney at Caledonia Twp., Prescott County, Ontario

Dec 30, 1914

Attested into the 8^th CMR (Canadian Mounted Rifles) at Ottawa Ontario 

Ø      Number 8014

o       The number was later changed to 113094

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs James H Blaney, mother, of Russell Ontario

o       There is a note in the file to also notify his sister, Mrs FE Downing at 258 Lefferts Ave, Brooklyn NY, USA

Ø      Previous occupation given as Civil Servant

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to the Headquarters Staff

Oct 8, 1915

Embarked the RMS Missanabie at Montreal Quebec

Oct 19, 1915

Disembarked at Plymouth England and proceeded to the Bramshott Camp

Jan 29, 1916

Attached to the Pay and Records Office in London

Feb 7, 1916

TOS (Taken On Strength) the Pay and Records Office in London

Feb 28, 1916

Attached to the CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) Orderly Room at Shorncliffe

May 25, 1916

Returned to the Pay Office in London

Jun 12, 1916

Transferred to the FGHRR (Fort Gary Horse Reserve Regiment) at Shorncliffe

Aug 15, 1916

Transferred to the BMGB (Borden Machine Gun Battery).  The name was later changed to Borden’s Motor Machine Gun Battery

Sep 17, 1916

Transferred to the 9^th Reserve Battalion at St Martin Plain, Tidworth

Sep 27, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Sep 28, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) at the Rouelles Camp, Havre France and TOS the 21^st Battalion

Oct 12, 1916

Left the CBD for his unit

Oct 14, 1916

Joined the 21^st Battalion in billets at Divion

Nov 12, 1916

Proceeded on the Bombing Course

Dec 30, 1916

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Feb 24, 1917

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion from course 

No reason is given for the length of time spent on the course.  There is no leave noted in the file.  It is possible that he had to wait for a course opening, or he possibly took more than 1 course

Apr 9, 1917

During the attack at Vimy Ridge, he was wounded and reported Missing In Action

On May 10, 1917, he was officially declared to have been Killed In Action on April 9, 1917.  Because his body was never recovered, or if so, was never identified, his name is commemorated on the Vimy Ridge Memorial in France 

Post war the following were sent to his brother, Mr Phil Blaney at 252 7^th St, Medicine Hat, Alberta 

Victory Medal

British War Medal 

The following were sent to his mother, Mrs Ellen Blaney, at Russell Ontario 

Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll

Memorial Cross