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DateOriginal Topic
18th November 2002Thomas Lane, V.C., 67th Regiment. 22/1/1879.
By John Young
Has anyone any first-hand information on the movements of Thomas Lane, V.C., on 22nd January, 1879? Believed to have been then serving in the Natal Native Contingent.

No rumours or hearsay please, can anyone place Lane with either No. 2 or No. 3 Column, for sure, on that fateful day?

For those who are aware, Lane was one of only eight men ever to have his V.C. forfeited.

Submitted in the hope encouraging some debate!
DateReplies
19th November 2002CLIVE DICKENS
John
T
19th November 2002CLIVE DICKENS
John
Sorry I pessed wrog key start again
No doubt you Know Thomas Lane was awarded his VC for bravery at Taku Forts China and it was taken from him for some reason in 1881 A bit of an add on to your question this do you know the reason for this?, I believe it was given back to him later in fact he is the only winner of the VC this has happend to
Clive
19th November 2002Martin Everett
Dear John,
You have uncovered a god one here.
Records are not clear as to whether Lane was convicted for a bigamous marriage or theft and desertion (from Landman's? Horse). Anyway he did 4 IHL in Kimberley in 1881 during the 1st ABW. He was ordered to return his VC, but this never reached Woolwich (if he ever sent it). For some reason a replacement VC was issued in 1884. The two VC named to Lane are still around. I cannot see his name on the NNC medal roll - his records make no mention of a South African War Medal 1877-9.
19th November 2002Martin Everett
Somebody interrupted me.

god = good
4 IHL = 4 months Imprisonment with hard labour. He also had Crimea Medal, Turkish Crimea Medal, and China Medal
19th November 2002Clive Dickens
Sorry one and all in my letter it should read of course PRESSED WRONG
I must take more time sorry again.
Clive
19th November 2002John Young
Dear Martin,

Have look for him in Lonsdale's Horse, or one of the troops of the Natal Horse?

There's a rumour about that a certain V.C. winner survived the Battle of Isandlwana, and living to fight another day. Which is why I'm after his movements on the day in question.

I believe his conviction was for stealing saddlery, kit and ammunition, with a touch of desertion whilst on active service thrown in for good measure.
19th November 2002John S Radburn
Martin

According to the Medal Roll By D R Forsyth he is listed under the Natal Horse and appears to have been given a medal with clasp 1879, but this was later returned to the mint ! ! !

Regards

John R
19th November 2002John Young
Thank you John,

Now we're getting somewhere.

Contrary to a recent book, the Natal Horse did not come into being until February, 1879. There were three troops formed the former n.c.o's of 3rd N.N.C.:-
No 1 Troop (de Burgh's)
No 2 Troop (Cooke's)
the infamous No 3 Troop (Bettington's).

Now all we have to discover is which battalion of 3rd N.N.C., did Sergeant or Corporal (for he would have to had been one or the other) Thomas Lane V.C. serve in?

Research - the keyword.

Solve this one and we'll have another forfeited V.C. in Zululand to follow.
20th November 2002Lee Stevenson
Further to earlier answers,

Thomas Lane deserted his post at Ladybrand on the 7th April 1881, whilst serving with "Landry's Light Horse". He took his horse, arms and accoutrements.

The authorities caught up him and he was imprisoned for 4 months with hard labour on the 27th July 1881.

The VC was removed from the roll of recipients for his "repeated acts of desertion and theft". His VC Pension was also cancelled as of 30th September 1881.

Source WO32/7405 Public Record Office, Kew

This document does not include any details of his previous service in the Anglo-Zulu War
21st November 2002John Young
Thanks Lee,

Back with us - all over yet?

I established outside of the forum, that Lane served in No. 2 Troop, Natal Horse, under the command of Captain J.W. Cooke.

That troop was present during the action at Gingindlovu, 2nd April, 1879. So it is feasible that Lane fought in that action.
21st November 2002John Young
Following on from my reply above, it will be at Gingindlovu, where we meet the other forfeited V.C. winner to serve in the campaign, but more on him when the Lane puzzle has been solved.