By Paul Millar
GEELONG’S Norm Lane paid the ultimate price in the service of his country.
But even residents of the suburb named after him, Norlane, would be unaware of the horrors he endured as a prisoner of war in Changi and as a slave on the Burma-Thai railway.
But Geelong RSL wants to change all that with a push to create a memorial to ensure everlasting recognition of his sacrifice.
Norman John Lane died from pneumonia at 8.15am on 20 September 1943 after being forced to work 12-hour days on a rail line was credited with a death for every sleeper laid.
He was fed a bowl of rice a day but only when it suited his Japanese captors.
A powerful, robust man when he enlisted in July 1940, he was reduced to half his body weight when he died.
Geelong RSL vice-president Brian Bunn wants the memorial up in time to commemorate the anniversary of Mr Lane’s death, not by the swiftness of a bullet but after suffering until his body could no longer meet the challenge.
“It’s going to happen,” Mr Dunn said.
“We’re pushing for it, a lot of people are supporting it and he deserves it.”
During his time in captivity Mr Lane, a panel beater, teamed up with Anglesea’s Jimmy Boyle to discuss escaping through the jungle.
The Japanese captured the pair after the fall of Singapore in February 1942.
Mr Boyle remained close to Mr Lane, watching him and hundreds of other captured soldiers deteriorate while working in the death camps.
“Norm was regarded by his officers as being dependable and conscientious and also highly regarded by all other members of his unit. He was a fine soldier and a gentleman,’’ Boyle wrote to the former Shire of Corio.
Mr Boyle stayed with Mr Lane until the end.
“The day before he died I carried him out from a hospital ward to the latrines – in my arms because he was too weak to walk.”
Mr Boyle’s wrote in his diary wrote on 20 September 1943: “Railway apparently finished – now working on road … death rate very high, 12 English and four Australians died last night. Norm Lane died this morning from cardiac berri berri”.
Ward councillor Kylie Fisher said an application for the memorial’s funding had been submitted and council was working with Mr Lane’s daughter in New South Wales to ensure she was happy with the memorial and its site.
“Council is very supportive of this. It’s a great project and it’s important that people know the history behind the name,” Cr Fisher said.
Member for Lara John Eren said locals and visitors should be aware of the Norlane name’s significance.
Their comments echo Mr Boyle, who wrote: “I hope that his story will be remembered by all those in the Norlane area. He was a fine man and a fine soldier.”
