Healey trained at Sling Camp until 20 August when he left for France. He was assigned to the 2 Battalion, Otago regiment on the Somme on 22 September. Two days later the Battalion took up its quarters at Carlton trench for the task of attempting to capture Gird Trench and also to take over the village. (Church, p.147)

"Healey proceeded to Ypres, and on 16 November the command of the whole Divisional Front passed to the New Zealanders. Divisional Headquarters were established at Chateau Segard, two miles southwest of the town. The winter of 1917/1918 proved fatal for Healey as he fell ill on 11 January 1918, suffering from bronchitis. On 8 January the 2 Battalion, Otago regiment had taken over the Reutel sector, immediately east of Polygon Wood. The weather was atrocious, with heavy snow, and the trenches were in a terrible condition, either flooded or fallen in." (Church, p.148)

Healey was transferred to No.1 NZGH, Brockenhurst where he died two months later of tuberculosis of the lung. AWMM