No.TF/293037, Private, Alfred PAYNE
Aged 19
|
Alfred PAYNE was born at 47 Burton End, Haverhill on 16th October 1897 (Risbridge Q4-1897 4A:762), baptised 11th September 1898 in St Mary's, Haverhill,
son of Henry Frederick and Annie PAYNE (née AMBROSE)
1901 census...Aged 3, he was at 47 Burton End, Haverhill with his father Henry F PAYNE [45] mat maker; his mother Annie [47] a dressmaker; sisters Minnie [17] Army bag machinist and Annie [9]; brothers Ambrose C [14] rope maker and Arthur F [5] born Haverhill. All except Alfred and Arthur were born in Long Melford. 1911 census...Aged 13, a printer's clerk,he was still at 47 Burton End with his parents and brother Arthur (a brewer's clerk). Sadly his mother had already lost 5 of her 11 children, the war was to make things even worse for her. His elder brothers, Charles was killed in Belgium later the same month see here and Frederick in Belgium in September 1917 see here All three brothers are commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial |
|
He was mobilised in Stratford, when resident in Manor Park, Essex. His service records survive in the "burnt documents under No.7020 Middlesex Regiment. He attested in East Ham on 12th December 1915 and was posted to the Reserves and mobilised on 26th September 1916 at Stratford. He gave his age as 18 years, a train mileage clerk, of 43 Stanley Road, Manor Park, 5 feet 8 inches (172.7 cm)tall, chest 31" to 34" (78.4 to 86.4 cm). Next of kin his mother Annie Payne of Burton End, Haverhill. He was posted to the British Expeditionary Force on 31st May 1917. It is not clear when he was re-numbered On Army form 5080 in June 1919 his father stated that the living relatives were his parents at 47 Burton End Haverhill, that his brothers Charlie [30] and Frederick [22] had been killed in action;sisters Ellen COOPER [38] 3 Albert Rd, Hounslow, Minnie SPRINGETT [36] 14 Bentinck Mews, Marylebone, Annie GENTRY [27] 12 Ophir Road, Portsmouth. The South West Suffolk Echo reported on 17th November 1917:- "Just a month ago we had the painful duty of announcing that the second son of Mr. and Mrs. F.Payne of 47 Burton End, Haverhill had been killed in action on September 27th. This week they have been officially informed that another son, Pte. A.Payne of the Middlesex Regt., was posted as missing on October 4th while serving in France. That bare announcement was followed by a letter from the Officer Commanding as follows:- "With deep regret I have to tell you that your son, Pte A.Payne, was reported missing on October 4th, and that nothing has been heard of him since. The regret that I express is shared by al his comrades, amongst whom he was deservedly popular, and I am asked by them to convey their sympathy to you. Should any further news come to hand it will be at once advised to you by the Officer in Charge of Record, Hounslow". After leaving LIEPZIG CAMP on 2nd October the battalion war diary has:- "Langemarck U.28.d.2.10 - 3/4th Oct - On the night of the 3/4 Oct the battalion left camp to take part in the attack NE of LANGEMARCK on the day of the 4th and moved to their new HQ at AUBONGITE and was detailed as the counter-attack battalion. The battalion was in support to 2nd Seaforths who were the attacking battalion, the two forward Coys "B" and "" coming under the orders of the OC 2nd Seaforths from zero hour on the 4/10/17. 2 Platoons of B Coy being detailed as left flank guards to keep in touch with the Dublin Fusiliers. The attack was made on a battalion front and the 10th Brigade objective was roughly 19 Metre Hill,ma reference BROEMBEEK 1/10,000 U.18.o. The starting point was 100 yards north of EAHGLE TRENCH. The 11th Brigade were on the right, and the 86tgh Brigade on our left. The battalion arrived at the point of assembly without incident. At 6 am (zero hour) on the 4/10/17 our artillery barrage started and the two leading companies B and C moved forward to EAGLE TRENCH followed by D and A Coys at about 8 am. B.H.Q. started to move forward to EAGLE TRENCH and had not gone more than 300 yards before the C.O. was knocked down by a splinter from a shell and ( ?) the Battalion Intelligence Officer was wounded in the wrist by a shell.B.H.Q. found it impossible to move forward owing to the intense barrage. After the C.O. had recovered from the knock out blow B.H.Q. moved to EAGLE TRENCH where O.C. Seaforths had returned from KANGAROO TRENCH, that trench owing to our barrage being now lost. OC Seaforths informed CO 3/10 Middx Regt that the whole of his Battalion had been absorbed in the attack. The enemy kept an intense barrage on EAGLE TRENCH 4th and 5th Oct and it was almost impossible to move, a lot of stretcher cases were killed coming down with their bearers.At about 2:30pm on 4th the CO required reinforcements as messages were being continuously received form the Company Commanders that their left flank was in the air, the left having failed to come up to the line.. The 1st Royal Warwicks arrived at about 4 pm on4/10/17 and filled up the gap in the line with 2nd line of 11th Brigade and later pushed forward and got in touch with the remainder of the 2nd Seaforth and 3/10 Middx Regt". CWGC figure show the 3rd/10th Middlesex had 83 killed on 4th, only 14 have a known grave
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
