Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 1991, Trooper Steven John Lane M.M., B Squadron, 22 SAS, was killed during the Gulf War on Bravo 20 while operating behind enemy lines in Iraq. He was part of the eight-man patrol whose story has been told in books and on television.

Trooper Lane passed out of Depot with 465 platoon at the end of 1980, and then served with 2 Para for the final four months of their tour in Ballykinler, Northern Ireland, returning for a second tour in 1984 and 1985. 'Legs' was also part of a mortar platoon in the Falklands in 1982.

In 1985 'Legs' married Julie Hampton in Hants, who was a nurse in the QA's and a year later in 1986 their first son Ian was born. He transferred to 9 Para RE wanting to learn a trade and then passed selection to join B Squadron, 22 SAS. His second son Matthew was born in 1990 just a year before his death. For his actions at the time of his death, he was posthumously awarded the Military Medal.

Trooper Lane – known as “Legs” because although short in stature he could out tab pretty much anyone and his legs were a blur! – is spoken highly of and “remembered well and with a smile” by Lonnie, Fergy, Ron, Taff, John, Digger, Frank, Phil and many more who had the privilege to serve alongside him. One of those colleagues, John, stated that he was “a great guy who was popular wherever he served and very professional. I had the honour to go to Hereford to attend his funeral, a moving occasion.” He is buried in the St. Martin’s Churchyard in Hereford.

Steven was 27 years old and married with two sons at the time of his death.