No.33394, Private, Frederick PAYNE
Aged 22
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Arthur Frederick PAYNE was born in Haverhill (Risbridge Q3-1895 4A:737), son of Henry Frederick and Annie PAYNE (née AMBROSE)
1901 census...Aged 5, as Arthur F., he was at 47 Burton End, Haverhill with his parents; sisters Minnie (Army bag machinist) and Annie [9] born Long Melford; brother Ambrose C. (rope maker), brothers Arthur [5] and Alfred [3] both born in Haverhill. 1911 census...Aged 15 Arthur Frederick, a brewer's clerk, he was with his parents and brother Alfred ( a printer's clerk) at 47 Burton End. Sadly his mother had already lost 5 of her 11 children, the war was to make things even worse for her, with the war claiming three of her sons. His younger brother, Alfred was killed in Belgium in October 1917 see here and also elder brother Charles in Belgium in October 1917 see here |
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The South West Suffolk Echo, reporting on 20th October 1917:- "Official news has been received by Mr.and Mrs.F.Payne of 47 Burton End, Haverhill that their second boy, No.33394 Pte. Frederick Payne of the Yorkshire Regt.,was killed in action in France on September 27th. Pte Payne, who was 22 years of age, joined up nearly two years ago, and had been in France for nearly a year. Prior to joining up he was employed by Messrs.Todd and Findlater's near London Bridge. For many years he was a clerk at Messrs F.C.Christmas and Co., Brewery, Haverhill. He was a possessor of a beautiful voice while resident in Haverhill and has more than once delighted audiences by his contributions at the Town Hall. He was also a member of the Parish Church in which he was a prominent vocalist. The sympathy of all will be extended to the bereaved family. Two other sons are at the Front" On 24th November 1917, the same paper reported on the death of his brother Charles and also added the following:- "..Five weeks ago we announced the loss of Mr. and Mrs. Payne's second son, Pte F.Payne of the Yorkshire Regt.,in respect of whom the following letters have recently been received:-from the 2nd Lieut.:- "It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that your son, No.33394 Pte. F.Payne was killed in action with his battalion on September 27th He was highly respected by all his platoon comrades and is a great loss to my platoon. He was a brave and courageous fellow and died a hero, and I, along with my platoon, join in sympathy with your irreparable loss. The delay is explained by the activity of the Battalion and it being rather hard to find particulars. I can assure you no time has been wasted in finding his relatives under the circumstance. Again, expressing my deepest sympathy" and from the Chaplain:- "I write to very heartily sympathise with you in the sad and terrible loss you have sustained by the death of your son, Pte F.Payne. May the everlasting arms of God bear you and yours up in this terrible hour of sorrow.Your son was killed instantaneously by an enemy shell, so also were several other men. Your son, brave chap that he was, died with his face to the foe. He was a splendid boy and never flinched in the presence of danger, but devotedly gave himself wholeheartedly top the doing of his duty however difficult or risky it might be.He was not only brave, but good. He was very much loved by his colleagues and was highly esteemed and respected by the officers.Surely Fred Payne's grave is not a cowards grave, for he died willingly at the the post of duty. The greatest sacrifice possible was made by your son - a son of whom any father or mother may well be proud. God bless and comfort Fred's father and mother is the earnest prayer of Capt. David P. Morse, Chaplain." He attested in Bury St, Edmunds 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment spent the first three weeks of September 1917 in the area of Poperinghe and then moved by rail on the 24th to Reigersburg, a short distance NNW of Ypres. From there they marched to dug-outs in the banks of the Yser canal. This was likely to be about where Essex Farm cemetery is today. The next day they took over front line duties in shell holes rather than trenches and for three days came in for very heavy shelling. 22 of the battalion were killed on the 27th " |
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