The tragic details of a soldier’s death in the First World War have come to light through a series of letters and military service records.
Harold Henry Lane, a draper by trade, was born in Torquay, Devon, but had moved to New Zealand and enlisted in the 1st New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Wellington Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion in August 1915. He saw service in Egypt the following year before being stationed in Northern France.
A handwritten letter from the brigade’s Chaplain, Captain Edward Elliott Malden, dated June 19th, 1916, and sent to Harold’s mother in Bristol, said: “My dear Mrs Lane, you will already have heard the sad news about your son.
“He was one of the band of the gallant New Zealanders who carried out a raid on the German trenches last Friday night and early Saturday morning but 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 in spite of all the doctors could do, he died.”
Private Lane was buried at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery in Armentieres, Northern France. The collection includes a document from the Director of Graves Registration & Enquiries detailing the position of the grave and a black and white photograph of the headstone.
The collection will feature in Wotton Auction Rooms’ next sale on July 15th in Wotton-under-Edge. Auctioneer and Managing Director Joseph Trinder said: “We have a collection of correspondence, ephemera and medals relating to the life, and tragically the death of Harold Henry Lane. It was consigned to us from a family just outside of Bristol and they’re now looking for these pieces to find a new home.
“I think it’s one that really does tug on the heartstrings, and it brings militaria, medals and correspondence alive. We’ve even got a photograph of the dear chap. This is one of those things you come across and whilst it may not have a high monetary value, it’s one of the most touching, humbling and emotive.”
Amongst the collection are Private Lane’s First World War medals issued posthumously, and two Next of Kin Memorial Plaques issued to Harold Henry Lane’s family, the other inscribed Frederick George Lane, believed to be his brother.
“We’re still doing a bit more homework and research, but we think that we’ve also got here the plaque relating to the death of his brother, Frederick George Lane – his dear mother losing, sacrificing, two sons in the Great War. We take the task of passing this on to a new owner really seriously. It’s incredibly moving,” added Mr Trinder.
The collection, which included a photograph of Harold Lane, has been estimated at £200-500.
“I think there are plenty of collectors out there who will want to take on this story and look into his life and service more deeply and pay homage to him that way, which I think is really a rather lovely thought.”
