Sqd Ldr Brian John Edward (Sandy) Lane

Sqd Ldr Brian John Edward (Sandy) Lane (1917-1942) born in Harrogate was the son of Henry Fitzgerald William Lane (born Stroud 1878) and the grandson of John William Lane (1850-1904).

John William Lane was the son of MY Great x2 Grandfather William Lane (1816-1896) born Bisley Stroud.

If anyone has any information on "Sandy" to pass on I would be most grateful.

Milavia

 

is this the very famous Brian Lane of 19 Squadron ? I think it probably is....

As 'B. J. Ellan' he wrote the classic Battle of Britain memoir,'Spitfire!', published just before his death in 1942. Of great interest will be Dilip Sarkar's book, 'Spitfire Squadron - No 19 Squadron At War 1939-1941' ( Air Research Publications 1990 ) which contains a full reprint of 'Spitfire!' plus Sarkar's full biography of Brian Lane.

He was a true hero of the Battle of Britain.....

 

Squadron Leader Brian Lane 19



S/Ldr B. J. E. Lane joined the RAF after losing a dead-end job as a supervisor in an electric-light bulb factory. He had leadership qualities and they were recognised when he was given the temporary command of 19 Squadron when Squadron Leader Stephenson was shot down.

He was flying Spitfire P9386/QV-K when he shot down a Bf110 near North Weald on 7th September, 1940.

Pilot's Perspective:
As a Flying Officer on 24th August, 1940:
"Ran into a bunch of Huns over the Thames Estuary. Had a bang at Me 110 but had to break away as tracer was comingover my head from another behind me. He appeared to be hitting his fellow-countryman in front of me but I didn't wait to see if he shot him down. Had a crack at another and shot his engine right out of the wing. Lovely."

As a Flying Officer on 11th September, 1940:
"Party over London. Sighted big bunch of Huns south of the river and got in lovely head-on attack into leading He 111s. Broke them up and picked upa small batch of six with two Me 110s as escort. Found myself entirely alone with these lads so proceeded to have a bit of sport. Got one of Me 110s on fire whereupon the other left his charge and ran for home. Played with the He 111s for a bit and finally got one in both engines. Never had so much fun before!"

 

That is a GREAT photo, taken at RAF Fowlmere during September 1940 as the Battle was at its height. Just look at the strain on Lane's face - he was just 23 at the time. On the right is Flight Sergeant George 'Grumpy' Unwin, a real 'ace' with at least 10 definite Battle of Britain victories to his credit.

Happily, 'Grumpy' survived to the very fine age of 93, passing away in June 2006.

 

Hi everyone

Thank you all most sincerely for taking time out to respond to my enquiry I feel I am getting to now cousin Brian quite well. I am particurly grateful for the splendid picture of Brian and his collegues.

For info, I also have an interest in Sgt Bob Lane - my uncle - who was with Tom Harvell etc when Lancaster LM 206 crashed over Coussey France 22nd July 1942. Thanks to Tom and many others I have since been in contact with I have accumilated a vast amount of information regarding the crash etc

The best as always

 

It's our pleasure, Milavia.....

 

Hi everyone,

I have since acquired and read "Spitfire" by Brian John Edward Lane (B.J.Ellan) and as expected found it absolutely fascinating reading.

There is reference to Brian James Edward Lane which is an error. His name is Brian John Edward Lane - The second and third names presumably taken from his Grandfather and Great Great Grandfather respectively

Milavia

 

to Milavia:

Perhaps you would find this a bit interesting. It's a writeup I did of The Battle of Britain which features Lane actually as a centerpiece and features the marvelous photograph that gromit801 posted. It's an amazingly powerful picture, one of the most iconic of the battle I think.

AYoungMansCommonSense: The faces of "the Few"

I hope this is to the family's liking, Lane has been a favorite of mine from the age of 16 (I'm 25 now) when I bought my first book on the subject, Osprey's Spitfire Mk I/II Aces 1939/41. It's gone up all over Britain and will be displayed on more than a couple Spitfires in the following weeks. Your relative was a great, great man, one of the many who made up the few. I and I think the world thank them and their families for their sacrifice. Cheers!

Nathan Klein

 

Hi,

As a cousin of Brian I found your story very moving indeed. I have recently purchased a First Edition of Brians book Spitfire printed in 1944 aslo a replica of his DFC. I have also now completed Brian's Biography which makes interesting reading. Feel free to contact me direct if I can assist you in any way at all.