The poignant story of Harold Henry Lane, a soldier who gave his life during the First World War, has been revealed through heartfelt letters and military records. Born in Torquay, Devon, Harold was a draper before relocating to New Zealand, where he enlisted in August 1915 with the 1st New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Wellington Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion.
Harold served in Egypt in 1916 before being deployed to Northern France. A touching letter from the brigade Chaplain, Captain Edward Elliott Malden, dated June 19, 1916, was sent to Harold’s mother in Bristol. It reads: “My dear Mrs Lane, you will already have heard the sad news about your son. He was one of the gallant New Zealanders who carried out a raid on the German trenches last Friday night and early Saturday morning. Most unfortunately, your very brave son was hit on his way back to our own lines after having carried out all that they intended to do. He was brought into hospital on Sunday, but despite the doctors’ efforts, he died.”
Private Lane was laid to rest at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery in Armentieres, Northern France. The records include a document from the Director of Graves Registration & Enquiries detailing his grave’s location, along with a black and white photograph of his headstone.
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This remarkable collection of correspondence, medals, and photographs will be auctioned on July 15 at Wotton Auction Rooms in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire. Joseph Trinder, Auctioneer and Managing Director, shared: “We have an extraordinary collection that tells the story of Harold Henry Lane’s life and tragic death. It came from a family near Bristol who hope these pieces will find a new home. This collection truly brings to life the human side of militaria and medals. It may not be highly valuable monetarily, but it is deeply moving and humbling.”
Included are Harold’s posthumous First World War medals and two Next of Kin Memorial Plaques—one inscribed for Harold and the other believed to be for his brother, Frederick George Lane. Mr. Trinder added, “We believe the second plaque commemorates Frederick, meaning their mother lost two sons in the Great War. Passing this collection to a caring new owner is a responsibility we take seriously. It’s incredibly moving.”
Estimated between £200-500, the collection invites collectors to honor Harold’s memory and explore his story further—a touching tribute to a brave soldier and his family’s sacrifice.