No.3945062, Rifleman, Walter Alfred PAYNE
Aged 27
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Walter Alfred Payne was born in Gazeley in 1890 (Newmarket Q1-1890 3B:527), son of James William and Emily PAYNE (née GOODY).
1891 census...Aged 1, he was at Main Street, Gazeley with his father James PAYNE [38] butcher, born Long Melford; his mother Emily [41] born Tilbury, Essex; sisters Anna [17] and Rose [8], both born in Long Melford; brothers Harry [11] grocer's assistant, Albert [10] and Frank [3], all three born in Long Melford. Another brother, William [13] born Long Melford, was a butcher's porter with Henry Stephenson in Exning Road, Newmarket. 1901 census...Aged 11, he was at The Street, Moulton, with his parents, and brothers William (a platelayer) and Frank ( a labourer). 1911 census...Aged 21, a gamekeeper, he was at Brookside, Moulton, with his parents and nephew Thomas PAYNE [8] born London. At present we do not know who were the parents of Thomas. His parents were later at Stour Street, Cavendish, Suffolk. CWGC record him as a native of Gazeley. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket initially in 1914, but was rejected, his number suggests he enlisted in November 1916 and local sources give the date as 14th
November. They were re-numbered in 1917 Part of the 175th Brigade, they seemed to be general dogs bodies, shunted here and there as needed, Very hard to pin down on a specific date, probably though in the area just south west of Arras. Around this time the Allies had all manners of plans preparatory to a grand attack, unknown to them though the Germans were planning a withdrawal to the Hindenburg, so when the time came, many found empty enemy trenches. Only two of the battalion were killed that day, only 226 in the whole of the Western Front. Bury Free Press 17th March 1917 - A MOULTON MAN KILLED It is with deep regret we have to record the death of Prvt. Walter Payne, a native of this village. It appears from a letter received form his officer that he had been out during the night with a patrol party, and he was returning to his own trench with his comrades when by some means he got caught in the barbed wire entanglement and was shot and killed almost instantly. He was the youngest son of Mr. J.W.Payne of this village,and was only about 20 years of age.His officer speaks very highly of him
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
