No.21410, Guardsman, Edward PAYNE
Aged 24
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Edward Payne was born in 1893 in Cheveley, (Newmarket Q3-1893 3B:494), baptised in Cheveley on 31st December 1893, son of Arthur and Alice PAYNE (née FULLER).
1901 census...Aged 7, he was at Park Road, Cheveley with his father Arthur PAYNE [38] farm labourer born Lakenheath; his mother Alice [39] born Icklingham; brothers Harry [20] gardener's labourer born Icklingham, Arthur [17] wheelwright born Needham, Herbert [16] farm labourer born Needham and Charles [11] born Ashley. 1911 census...Aged 19 he was a lodger at Lynch, Laverstock Overton, Hants, a gamekeeper. His parents were at The Bells Inn, Icklingham where his father was Innkeeper, with brothers Herbert (postman) and Charlie (labourer). |
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He enlisted in Caterham. The war diary :- "Monday 6th August they were north of Poperinge at SAVILLE FARM. The whole 4th Battalion sector was shelled throughout the day, but only a few casualties were inflicted. Lt B Burke was slightly wounded. The battalion was relieved in the evening by the 1st Bn Dublin Fusiliers and then the battalion relieved 1st Bn Welsh Guard on the GREEN LINE, the double relief was completed by 1 am on 7th 7th August- CAPTAINS FARM- 1:30 am a patrol under 2/Lt D Knight was sent to reconnoitre the ground on the far side of the STEENBEEK and returned at 3 am without meeting any Germans. 3am- between 3 am and 7 am the battalion sector was heavily shelled, the bombardment then became intense for three different periods of about 1/4 each. The remainder of the day was quiet except for a strong bombardment during the afternoon. 7 pm - The Germans put down a barrage on the GREEN LINE which lasted till 10 pm. The day was fine and warm with good observation, becoming misty at night. The battalion was relieved in the evening by 1 Dublin Fusiliers which was completed by 1:30 am and the battalion marched back independently by platoon to BLEUET FARM where they were welcomed with hot tea and biscuits under arrangements made by the Guards Divisional Canteen. Wed 8th - The battalion then marched back to ZONNERBLOOM Cabaret where they entrained. The train left 4:50 for PROVEN arriving at the latter 5:05 am Casualties 6/7th August - Killed 19034 L/Sgt F Locke; 28372 L/Cpl H Longhurst; 21410 Pte E Payne; 23557 Pte R Day; 24295 Pte A Cope - wounded 35, wounded (shell shock) 1 - Missing (believed killed) 3 Lt B Burke wounded (on duty)". CWGC records show the total for 6th/7th was 7 killed on the 7th. Strangely CWGC have L/Sgt Locke dying on 7th August 1918 and miles away on the Pozières Memorial on the Somme. The Bury Free Press of 18th August 1917 reported :- ICKLIGHAM MAN DIES IN ACTION News has just been received of the death of Prvt E.Payne, 4th Grenadier Guards, killed in action in Flanders. Very deep sympathy will be felt for his parents,long resident in Icklingham, at the loss of a son of whom they had every reason to be proud. The deceased was home on leave only a few weeks ago. The following week the Bury Free Press reported further, pointing out his parents were of the Bell Inn, Icklingham. Edward was 25 years of age, and had been educated at Icklingham School and was a member of the church choir. Viscount Gort, his Colonel wrote:-" Dear Mrs Payne - It is with feeling of the deepest sympathy that I write to offer you my sincerest sympathy in the loss of your gallant son. He was killed in action while the Battalion was holding the position we had won in the big attack a few days previously. I am the more distressed as he was a gallant soldier who as a Grenadier always did his duty loyally and cheerfully, and laid down his life for his country to the great glory of his family name, and to the honour of his regiment.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission and also commemorated on the Weather Heath Memorial (Elveden Column by the A11) click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
