[1][2] Lane, from Manly, New South Wales, was four years old when his brother saved him from drowning in Sydney Harbour, whereupon he decided to learn to swim.

[3] After breaking many Australasian swimming records, Lane moved to England to compete in the English Championships in 1899.

[4] His second final was just 45 minutes later, the discontinued 200 metre obstacle event, where he beat Austrian Otto Wahle.

[5] After the Olympics, Lane stayed in England for another two years working for a legal firm in Blackpool while he continued to swim and break records.

[3] On returning to Australia, Lane became a master printer and a partner in a printing and stationery firm on Bridge Street.