Death Notification of L/Wren Molly Lane (nee Brooke) 5 July 2026

I write with the sad news that my Mother, Molly Lane (nee Brooke) who served in the WRNS between 1952-1955 died on 5 July 2026 following a fall in her care home near Ringwood, Hampshire. She was 93. Born in 1932 in Leeds, Yorkshire, Molly joined HMS Dauntless on 12 February 1952, following in the footsteps of her elder sister Zoe Brooke(Zoe’s later married name was Zoe Huffadine) who was also Signals Wren who served in Portsmouth during the Second World War.

Molly trained at HMS Mercury as a Signals Wren and was employed initially at HMS SEAHAWK in Cornwall until June 1953. Her next appointment was at HMS ST ANGELO in Malta where she served for almost 18 months. During this time she met her future husband George Lane who was a Yeoman of Signals and they married in November 1955. She was discharged as a Leading Wren from the WRNS on marriage, having previously served for eight months at HMS Sanderling at Abbotsinch, which much later became Glasgow airport.

Molly made several lifelong friends in the WRNS, one of her closest friends was Elsie Brown (nee Brocklehurst) who is still a member of the Wrens Association, now living in Canada. They were friends for over 70 years having met in Malta in the 1950s.

Molly claimed that she briefly danced with Admiral Louis Mountbatten (Later Earl Mountbatten)at a ball in Malta when he was CINC Mediterranean during his service on the island.

I joined the WRNS in 1981, inspired by both my mother and Aunt Zoe and following other family members who also served in the Royal Navy and later served a total of 34 Years continuing service in the RNR including many recalls to serve in the Royal Navy.  I retired from the RNR in 2022 at the age of 63.

I enclose photos of my Mum as a Wren and one of us together on HMS VICTORY which was shown at the Royal Albert Hall during the Festival of Remembrance when they celebrated women, especially mothers and daughters who were serving.

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Molly is survived by her four children, Carol, Heather, Hazel and Richard.

Daughter: Heather Lane, Lt Cdr VR RNR Retd