| PETTY OFFICER J. HEANEY | ROYAL NAVY H.M.M.T.B. 667 | 22 | 05/03/1943 |
| PETTY OFFICER R. E. W. BLEAKMAN | ROYAL NAVY "H.M.S. TARTAR" | 29 | 09/06/1944 |
| LANCE CORPORAL J. H. BROWN MM | ROYAL ENGINEERS | 05/11/1940 | 44 |
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Recently moved to Upton Cross I was interested with the war grave of James HEANEY I made enquiries of RN and in particular MTB 667. I was a craft stationed at Brightlingsea Essex. On 05/03/1943 The boat was moored as new with a skeleton crew staying overnight prior to stores being loaded the following day. During the night fumes from the fire extinguisher overwhelmed the three crew who all died.
Two of the crew are burried in Essex and thier death is commorated each year with honours. I contacted the RNA Brightinlingsea who were unaware of the location of the third mamber James HEANEY. I completed the story for them and sent them photos I had taken not only of the grave but the war memorial Upton Cross.
They published the information on their website. I will commorate the anniversary on 5th March 2023 at the graveside with a white ensign. I will also clean the headstone.
I would be interested if there are any relatives.
I used to know Brightlingsea very well as a kid. Thanks ever so for taking the time to comment, Kevin. I hope a relative may see it at some point. You never know – it has happened on this site before.
Magicfingers,
Well just as you predictited I have been contacted by the son of James Heaney, Many thanks
Yours Aye
Kevin
Good stuff Kevin. It makes the work I do on this site worthwhile.
Incidentally, after your March commemorative visit, I’d be very happy to add some photos, should you take some, to this post, if you like. I have your email, and all you’d have to do is stick a comment back on here at the time to remind me and I shall be in touch. Just a thought.
Magicfingers,
If you send me a mail I will copy the pics to you. I addition how do I provide my email address to Barbara Heaney (daughter of Barry Heaney) who has posted to me on this site.
Kevin
Thank you Kevin for your post. I just came across this whilst I was researching James Heaney on behalf of his son Barry Heaney.
Regards,
Andy Evans
Andy,
Thanks for the posting and I have seen the message from Barry Heaney. I will contact the RNA at Brightingsea and inform them of the latest. I had a mail from them recently where they said they would live link to me the service the hold annually at Brightlingsea for the other two members of crew of 667. I will certainly be at the church on the anniversary date. I need to clean the stone again as it discolours quickly due to the surrounding trees.
Please feel free to post any other information you have on this site.
Yours Aye
Kevin McCANN
Dear mr McCann,I am barry Heaney, son of James Heaneyi have been,recerching my fathers side of the family for a while now, my nephew Andy jones has been helping me,I am 81 years old now and not that good ,with new technology,I was pleased to hear Andy had been in touch with you, we often go down to Upton to the grave of James,we have noticed that someone is ,,leaving flowers, and cleaning the grave, my mother moved up to Bristol when she got married again,and I was only five years old, my never talked about my dad,and I lost touch with the heaney family,unfortunately there was some dispute in the family and they were told Barry’s family had emergrated to Australia
Barbara,
Thanks for your mail via this site. Please let me know of Barry’s next visit to Upton Cross and I would be happy to meet with him. My interest in this particular grave site is that I used to work in London with an ex naval architect and wrote several illustrated books in particular Allied Costal Forces which details the MTB 667, it is as a result of this I contacted the RNA in Brightlingsea. I am happy to pass your mail details to them should you wish.
Regards
Kevin McCANN
hi keven i hope to visit my fathers grave ,james heaney , on that date of memorial, it would be great to meet up with you,i have lots of photoes of my dad ect your may be intrested in,could you let know about what time of the day,you will be there,hope to hear from you soon, yours sincerly barry james heaney
Barry,
I have replied to Barbara and have suggested that we meet at the churchyard on Saturday 4th March as the Brightlingsea memorial is on that day and they hope to broadcast it to me at Upton Cross. Feel free to call me on 07485076309
regards
Kevin McCANN
Dear All. I am Tony Chapman of Brightlingsea RNA, as Kevin says we will be holding the annual memorial service for MTB667 on Saturday the 4th of March, the time is to be confirmed but it is likely to be around 11:00. Depending on cellphone service at the Church I will attempt a zoom session for whoever wishes to join and shall use Kevin as a contact for everyone. We have a website http://www.rnabrightlingsea.org.uk/ and there is a page dedicated to the MTB667 service and to James Heaney with information sent to me by Kevin. I look forward to continuing this connection with you all. We have a branch meeting on the 7th February and will pass on these conversations to them. Best wishes Tony
Hi thank you,for your reply,we will wait for more information,
Barbara and Barry,
If it is okay with youy I will meet you at the churchyard on Saturday 4th March 2023 as the memorial date is a Sunday and the church has a service on that date. As well I understand that the RNA Brightlingsea will be holding the memorial on the Saturday, 4/3/23 in Essex for the other two members of the crew of MTB 667.
Please contact me with your thoughts
Kevin
Kevin, you have been mailed. Check your Spam if necessary.
Hi magicfingers, I have tried to contact Kevin McCann do you know if he is still active
Tony, sorry for the delay in replying. I haven’t heard from him for a year – since these comments, actually. I only have his email address otherwise, and I think you already have that?
Hi Magicfingers
Thanks for replying. Kevin replied on the 20th. He said he will be going to the grave later in March but won’t be able to connect via zoom. He has tried contacting Barry Heaney with no luck.
Regards
Tony
Cheers Tony!
On Saturday morning at 10:30 I will be conducting a test zoom session with Kevin, if anyone wishes to join please follow the link below.
https://zoom.us/j/7277701890?pwd=MGRNeTdZbjJLcXVma3o5Z24wWklwdz09
If all goes well we should be able to connect on the 4th March at 10:55 subject to the mobile network signal.
Tony
I have just added zoom to my android phone so should be able to see and hear this Saturday at 10.30 am
Regards
Kevin McCANN
Hi keven will you be at the church,in Upton cross on Saturday, my wife and I will be ,visiting the church, on the 4 March,at around 10 30,we are staying on cheese ring farm,for a few days,looking forward to meeting you,Barry Heaney
Barry. Brightlingsea RNA will be holding a service for those who died on MTB667 on Tuesday 5th March at 12:00. Last year as you know Kevin connected to me via zoom, I have emailed him but have had no reply, are you in contact with him to let him know.
Best wishes Tony Chapman
On Saturday 4th March Brightlingsea RNA will be remembering those who died in MTB667. If conditions are good I will open a zoom session from about 10:55am if you would like to take part please use this link.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/7277701890?pwd=MGRNeTdZbjJLcXVma3o5Z24wWklwdz09