BX April 7, 1917
On His Way Home
Sergeant William Arthur Lane who left here with the infantry in 1915, is on his way home, invalided. He was in the trenches in both Belgium and France. He was wounded by shrapnel, one rib having to be removed while he also underwent three operations following a bad case of gas poisoning. He was in seven English hospitals during the past year. His brother, Pte. Charles D. Lane, left with the first Brants. Both are sons of W.H. Lane, 353 Dalhousie Street.
BX April 24, 1917
On Way Home
Word has been received by W.H. Lane, father of Sergeant William Lane, that the latter had arrived safely at Quebec. He was wounded some time ago and was invalided home. It is expected he will arrive shortly.
BX May 2, 1917
Invalided Soldiers
In all probability the following men will leave Toronto for Brantford on Thursday March 3 by the 6 o’clock Grand Trunk train. Sgt. William Arthur Lane, 353 Dalhousie Street; Pte. Albert Charles Lark, 306 Dalhousie Street; Lance-Corp. Robinson Shellard, 37 Webling Street; Pte. Arthur William Tyo, 250 Dalhousie Street.
BX May 4, 1917
Four Veterans Arrived in City on Thursday – Sergt. W.A. Lane, Lance-Corp. R. Shellard, Privates. A.W. Tyo and A.C. Lark – Given a Welcome
Four more veterans of the great struggle raging in Europe – Sergt. William Arthur Lane, Lance Corp. Robinson Shellard, Pte. Arthur William Tyo, and Pte. Alfred Charles Lark, were welcomed back to their homes here yesterday. The Soldiers’ Aid Commission had an exceedingly busy time, three of them arriving home in the afternoon and one in the evening. All were given a good reception at the station by the commission, which was out in force, and a throng of citizens. The 3.57 G.T.R. train was 20 minutes late and the throng at the station prevented any speeches. Lance-Corporal Shellard and Privates Tyo and Lark came in on the train. Sergt. Lane arrived home on the 7.32 and in the station speeches of welcome were delivered by Ald. J.S. Dowling of the Soldiers’ Aid Commission, and Capt. (Rev.) Jeakins, secretary of the G.W.V.A. Pte. Tyo had to walk with the aid of crutches, and Sergt. Lane had one arm that was practically useless.
Shelled in Ambulance
It was while being taken from the trenches to the casualty station in an ambulance that Sergeant W.A. Lane, who is a son of W.H. Lane, 353 Dalhousie Street, suffered the injuries which brought him home. In the latter part of March 1916, Sergt. Lane was found to be suffering from pleura-pneumonia. Along with six other men he was put in an ambulance and sent to the casualty clearing station some distance back. The ambulance was shelled on its journey and six of its occupants killed. Sergt. Lane, who was in an unconscious condition, was thrown into the air and landed amongst some shrubs. On being sent back from the trenches he had a tag on him stating that he was suffering from pleura-pneumonia. After he got into the hospital he went through two operations before it was noticed that he was suffering from a shrapnel wound. As a result he lost two of his ribs and went through seven operations. His right arm is now practically useless.
Sergeant Lane had been in the trenches about three and a half months before he was taken sick. He spent nearly a year in five different hospitals in England, and was also in one in France. He went overseas with an infantry battalion commanded by Lt.-Col. Genet. After a leave of 18 days he will report to the Toronto Military Hospital where he will undergo another operation. Another son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Lane is at the front, Charles D. Lane, who went over with the First Brant County Battalion. An adopted son, William Jones, is now on his way across with the 215th Battalion.
BX June 13, 1917
Another Operation
Sergeant William Arthur Lane, son of W.H. Lane of this city, underwent another operation at the Toronto General Hospital yesterday, two more pieces of shrapnel being removed from his person. His wounds refused to heal, and it is thought that the remaining shrapnel was responsible. A speedy recovery is now looked for, although he will be confined to the hospital for six weeks following the operation, as tubes will be left in to carry off the suppuration.
BX June 20, 1917
Is Doing Well
Sergeant William Lane, son of W.H. and Mrs. Lane, Dalhousie Street, has undergone his eighth operation this being at the Toronto General hospital, for wounds received in France. A third tube has been inserted to clear the wounds. He came through the operation satisfactorily, but owing to inability to eat, his condition is weak. It is expected that he will pull through.
