MORE than 70 guests, some from as far afield as Germany, recently celebrated the 90th birthday of Major Edward Horace Lane MBE, at the Prince Michael of Kent Court retirement home in Watford.
Major Lane, Ted as he is known, comes from a family with a long tradition of military service.
His father served in the Corps from 1914 to 1920 and was awarded the Military Medal and the Croix de Guerre (now on show in the Royal Engineers museum at Chatham) and his Grandfather fought at Rourkes Drift in 1879 with B Company of the 24th, South Wales Borderers.
Major Lane joined the Corps in 1926, as an apprentice carpenter/joiner and served throughout the British Empire. He was commissioned in Singapore in 1942 and awarded the MBE in 1955 for his services during the Suez crisis.
At his birthday celebration, Staff Sergeant Olaf Dudley of 131 Independent Commando Squadron RE (V) presented Major Lane with a certificate of service from the Royal Engineers Association.
Staff Sergeant Dudley said "This was the first time I have ever done anything like this. I am extremely proud and honoured to have been given the opportunity to represent the Corps on such a memorable and moving occasion".
After the event, Major Lane's son, Roger, said "The occasion was magnificent and I am extremely grateful to Royal Engineers and Sergeant Dudley for making my fathers day. There can be no doubt that my father is a Sapper to the core."
July 10, 2002 17:00
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