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Operational Training Unit, Harwell, Berkshire, and at the end of 1941, he embarked for service in the Middle East. After his arrival in Egypt, he was posted to Shallufa on the 21st January 1942 for some further training and then on the 1st Febraury, he was posted to No. 37 Squadron for operational flying duties. On completing this tour of operations at the end of August, he returned to the United Kingdom, and on the 27th September was again posted to No. 15 Operational Training Unit, Harwell, where he served as an instructor. At the end of this rest period, on the 4th October, 1943 he was posted to No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, at Mepal, Cambridgeshire and began his second operational tour. In February 1944 he transferred to No. 7 (Bomber) Squadron, stationed at Oakington, in Cambridgeshire, and on the 1st April, transferred to No. 582 (Bomber) Squadron at Little Staughton, Huntingdonshire. This Squadron was equipped with Lancaster aircraft. In May, 1944 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, the citation reading as follows:-

"Squadron Leader Heney was the Captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Dortmund, one night in May, 1944. When over the target area, his aircraft caught fire, but Squadron Leader Heney continued his bombing run. The flames reached dangerous proportions and became a target for the enemy defences. Nevertheless Squadron Leader Heney made efforts to extinguish the flames and as they subside he turned for home. One engine was useless but he maintained a steady course, and later, although his aircraft sustained more damage in an attack by and enemy fighter, he landed safely at base. Squadron Leader Heney has displayed a high degree of skill, courage and devotion to duty.

Squadron Leader Heney was the pilot of a Lancaster bomber which took off on the night of the 27/28th May, 1944 to make an attack on Rennes, in enemy occupied France. The aircraft failed to return to its base and all the crew were classified as missing. As nothing more was heard of Squadron Leader Heney, his death was in due course officially presumed to have occurred on the 28th May, 1944. After the cessation of hostilities, his grave was discovered in the Isle of Vilaine Cemetery, Rennes.