Lt. Col. Henry Lane. 1827 – 1896. ‘father of local government’ in Bexhill. He retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel at the age of 38 years on the death of his father, killed in a road accident at Ninfield in 1865. He took up residence at the family home at Broadoak Manor (which exists no more) and served the community of Bexhill for the next 30 years. Henry Lane was the first chairman of the Local Board of Bexhill, first chairman of Bexhill Urban Council and first resident justice of the peace.
He was Bexhill’s representative on East Sussex County Council and later became the town’s first county alderman. The Memorial in Town Hall Square was erected to his honour on the 25 June 1896. It was unveiled by his widow with the 8th Earl De La Warr and Lord Brassey in attendance.