Brian Lane – a contrasting photograph
Following on from our last post, this is another, but very different, photograph of Brian Lane. Lane was No. 19 Squadron’s fourth Commanding Officer in less than 12 months. Of his predecessors, one was posted away, one was shot down and made a prisoner of war, and one was killed. Lane was extremely well-liked by his men, and was a very gifted fighter pilot. He wrote a book about his experiences in the Battle, Spitfire!, which was published in 1942. Tragically, Lane was killed in December that year. He was 25 years old.
The quality of this Stanley Devon portrait of Brian Lane is outstanding, the more research I have done about Sqn Ldr Lane the more I want to know about him, I read his log book at kew and he comes across as very bright,charming and his sense of humour is very clear. He is the person I would most like to have met.
Ann
Hi Ann,
I agree about his logbook – the entry for 15 September is wonderful, containing this line:
A genuinely inspirational figure.
Carl
Quick update to this post – a new memorial to Brian Lane is being unveiled in Pinner this Sunday. See http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/9241005.Event_to_remember_war_veteran_with_flypast_to_be_held_this_month/ for more information.