Auction Catalogue

24 & 25 June 2009

Starting at 2:00 PM

.

Orders, Decorations and Medals

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

Lot

№ 951

.

25 June 2009

Hammer Price:
£200

Six: Captain Richard Burnell Lane, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (Lieut., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Commr., R.N.); Defence and War Medals, unnamed; France, Croix de Guerre 1914-1917, with bronze palm, mounted as worn, very fine and better (6) £200-250

Croix de Guerre London Gazette 30 November 1917.

Richard Burnell Lane was born in Paighton, Devon, on 4 February 1887. Entering the Royal Navy as a Cadet in May 1902, he was appointed a Midshipman on 15 February 1904. He was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant in April 1907 and Lieutenant in July 1908. He served on the battleship King Edward VII from January 1914 until she was lost on 16 January 1916. The battleship was the flagship of the 3rd Battle Squadron. She was en route from Scapa to Belfast for a refit when she struck a mine laid by the German raider Moewe off Cape Wrath. The damaged battleship was towed for nine hours following the explosion in an effort to bring her to port but sank before that could be accomplished. The time allowed the whole of the ship’s complement to be transferred to attendant destroyers. In Lane’s record of service, it is recorded by Captain Maclachlan of the King Edward VII, that he (Lane) ‘greatly assisted 1st Lieut. in getting out boats, also did invaluable service in keeping lights & power available till shortly before abandoning ship. Also assisted in getting W/T into action again’. Lane was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander in July 1916 and Commander in June 1921. He retired with the rank of Captain on 20 May 1933 but was recalled for service during the Second World War when he was based at Vernon. With copied service record of service.