No.242031, Private, Charles Ambrose PAYNE
Aged 33
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Charles Ambrose PAYNE was born in Long Melford (Sudbury Q4-1886 4A:651), son of son of Henry Frederick and Annie PAYNE (née AMBROSE)
1891 census...Aged 4, he was at St Mary's Street West, Long Melford with his father Henry F PAYNE [35] mat maker; his mother Annie [39]; sisters Ellen [9], Minnie [7] and Lucretia [1]. All were born in Long Melford. 1901 census...Aged 14, as Ambrose C., a rope maker, he was at 47 Burton End, Haverhill with his parents; sisters Minnie (Army bag machinist) and Annie [9] born Long Melford; brother Arthur "Fred" [5] and Alfred [3] both born in Haverhill. 1911 census...Aged 25, a butcher's assistant, he was at 47 Third Avenue, Manor Park, Essex with his uncle, Alfred PAYNE [33] a butcher, and his family. His parents were still at 47 Burton End with brothers Arthur "Fred" (a brewer's clerk) and Alfred ( a printer's clerk). Sadly his mother had already lost 5 of her 11 children, the war was to make things even worse for her, claiming the lives of three of her sons In 1913 Charles married Agnes Louise MASH [4-12-1891] (West Ham Q4-1913 4A:629). Their son, Charles Ambrose, was born on 26-12-1913. His younger brother, Alfred was killed in Belgium earlier the same month see here and Frederick in Belgium in September 1917 see here |
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The South West Suffolk Echo, reporting on the tragedies befalling the Payne family recorded on 24th November 1917:- "The toll of war has fallen with extreme severity on Mr. and Mrs. F. Payne of Burton End, Haverhill, inasmuch as two of their three sons have been killed, and the other has been returned as missing. The sympathy which is felt in such circumstances cannot be expressed in mere words or written phrases. News reached them on Saturday that their eldest son, Pte. Charles Payne, 242031 of the Northmberland Fusiliers, \Lewis Gun section, had been killed in action. He had passed two birthdays in France. He was 33 years of age and lived at 36 Stanley Road, Manor Park, where he leaves a widow and a little boy." He attested in Canning Town when resident at 36 Manor Park. The Battalion was south of Houthulst Forest in front of Turenne Crossing. The war diary:- "Barrage commenced 5.40am. Companies go over well. Enemy barrage on road U.12.b.2.9. to U.12.d.9.1. within 3 minutes of zero hour. A Co in V 7 a 5.8 (on the railway) heavily shelled. 7.10am: Reports from wounded that all companies have taken 1st objective 7.40am: Report from wounded that B Co are on Hill 23 but suffering heavy machine-gun fire from the direction of wood (Houthulst Forest) 9am: Report that C Co held up by machine-gun fire from huts V 1 d 1.6 11.30am: One platoon 6/NF moved forward and occupy line Aden House to Turenne Crossing with remains of A Coy. 2.15pm: Lt Lewis and remains of C Co retired to Turenne Crossing and get in touch with A Co. 4.15pm: Remains of battalion back on original line. From wounded the following reports are gathered: B Coy (left Coy) advanced well from assembly point taking first objective easily until they reached the road in V 1 c 5.8 which was found wired between the trees. When the first and second waves reached this and attempted was made to cut the wire and reach enemy trench situated about V 1 c which was full of enemy, they were enfiladed by machine-gun firing from V 1 b 9.0 (on the line of the railway) and practically wiped out. The other waves were unable to advance on account of intense M.G.fire. C Coy and 4th N.F. on their right advanced as far as huts in V.1.b.but were unable to advance further on account of M.G. fire. D Coy,having taken first objective advanced under heavy fire. No further news can be obtained of this Coy. 11 pm - Bn relieved by 4th Bn Yorkshire Regt. Moves back to ROSE CROSSROADS Camp." CWGC figures show the 1st/5th had 171 killed that day, only 32 of them have a known grave. Below the places referred to above: |
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