Maitland Percival Lane - Lest We Forget

Maitland Percival Lane was born October 25, 1888 at Ashfield Township, Huron County, Ontario, Canada. His father was William Lane, Treasurer of the County of Huron. Maitland entered the service of the Bank of Commerce July 13, 1905. He was working as an accountant in the Revelstoke Branch of the bank when he enlisted. In July of 1915 he enlisted in an Officers Training Course and was appointed a Lieutenant with the 54th Battalion.

Maitland Percival Lane signed his enlistment papers September 4, 1915 at Vernon. He was 26 years old, single, 5’ 10” tall with brown hair and blue eyes. His religious affiliation was Anglican. He was transferred to the 29th Battalion in May 1916. He spent four months on the Somme campaign in 1916.

Maitland Percival Lane died on September 27, 1916 at the Somme. He was 27 years old. At the time of his death he was a Lieutenant with the 29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (British Columbia) Regiment. He is buried at Sunken Road Cemetery, Contalmaison, France.

The local newspaper of November 30, 1916 reported his death:

“Revelstoke Bank Clerk Killed - Vancouver, B.C., November 27th.  - Probate of the estate of the late Lieutenant Maitland Percival Lane was granted by Chief Justice Hunter last week. Letters from comrades read in court show that Lieutenant Lane was shot through the head by a German sniper while attacking a German position in a quarry in the Somme region on September 26, and that he was buried near the Somme. Lieutenant Lane served as accountant for the Bank of Commerce at Revelstoke and previously at Nelson. After obtaining his commission he joined the 54th battalion but was transferred after reaching England.”

The name of M.P. Lane is inscribed on the Courthouse and Cenotaph plaques. His name is also inscribed on the Chancel Screen at St. Peter’s Anglican as well as the YMCA Honor Roll.

On November 17, 1921, a brass plaque was unveiled at the Revelstoke Bank of Commerce in honour of the members of the bank staff from Revelstoke who served in the Great War. Among the names is that of Maitland Percival Lane. This plaque is now housed in Revelstoke Museum and Archives.