Selected Biographies

Payne, Alfred – Born: Haverhill, Suffolk on 16.10.1897.[1]  Parents: Henry ‘Frederick’ Payne (Coconut Mat Maker) and Annie [née Ambrose] (Sweet Shop Keeper, later Dressmaker), both of Long Melford.  Family Connections: Brother to Charles Ambrose Payne of Long Melford [b1886] and Arthur Frederick Payne [b1895]; also, uncle of Charles Ambrose Payne [b1913], and cousin of Harry Robert Payne [b1887] and George Oliver Payne [b1889].  All three brothers died within days and a few miles of each other during the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917.  Home: 47 Burton End, Haverhill, Suffolk (1901 and 1911), 43 Stanley Road, Manor Park, London [1915].  Occupation: Printer’s Clerk (1911), Train and Car Mileage Clerk [1915].  Service Record: Alfred was conscripted on 12.12.1915 and mobilised in September 1916 as Pte.7020, later Pte.TF/293037 with 3/10^th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge’s Own [Middlesex] Regiment and posted to France from 31.5.1917, shortly after coming under the command of 4^th Division’s 10^th Brigade.  At the end of September, the Battalion moved to Elverdinghe, four miles north of Ypres.  At dawn on 4.10.1917 3/10^th Middlesex were part of a brigade-wide attack north-east of Langemarck towards a feature marked as 19 Metre Hill.  On reaching Eagle Trench his unit was pinned down by a well-aimed artillery barrage, which wreaked havoc along the line.  It is probably here or close by that Private Payne lost his life.[2]  Died: Alfred was listed as missing presumed killed in action on 4.10.1917 and is commemorated, together with his two brothers and 35,000 other men, on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing [Panel 113 to 115], West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.  He is also remembered on the War Memorial at Haverhill in Suffolk.[3]

Payne, Arthur Frederick ‘Fred’ – Born: Haverhill, Suffolk on 3.6.1895.[4]  Parents: Henry ‘Frederick’ Payne (Coconut Mat Maker) and Annie [née Ambrose] (Sweet Shop Keeper), both of Long Melford.  Family Connections: Brother to Charles Ambrose Payne of Long Melford [b1886] and Alfred Payne [b1897]; also, uncle of Charles Ambrose Payne [b1913] and cousin of Harry Robert Payne [b1887] and George Oliver Payne [b1889].  All three brothers died within days and a few miles of each other during the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917.  Home: 47 Burton End, Haverhill, Suffolk (1901 and 1911).  Occupation: Brewer’s Clerk (1911).  Service Record: Fred enlisted in October 1914 as Pte.2381 with 4^th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, transferring as Pte.33394 to 6^th [Service] Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own [Yorkshire] Regiment [Green Howards] and was posted to France as part of 32^nd Brigade, 11^th [Northern] Division.  On 24.9.1917 his unit moved into the front-line west of Poelcappelle where it was heavily shelled throughout 26^th and although the salvos eased off the following day, by the evening the bombardment had been renewed with extra vigour.  The two-day barrage accounted for 23 men killed and the wounding of 42 others.[5]  Died: Private Payne was killed in action on 27.9.1917 and, together with his two brothers, is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing [panel 52 to 54 and 162^A], West-Vlaanderen, Belgium and on the War Memorial at Haverhill in Suffolk.[6]

Payne, Charles ‘Charlie’ Ambrose – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 14.10.1886.[7]  Parents: Henry ‘Frederick’ Payne (Coconut Mat Maker) and Annie [née Ambrose] (Sweet Shop Keeper, later Dressmaker), both of Long Melford.  Family Connections: Father to Charles Ambrose Payne [b1913] and brother of Arthur Frederick Payne [b1895] and Alfred Payne [b1897]; also, cousin of Harry Robert Payne [b1887] and George Oliver Payne [b1889].  All three brothers died within days and a few miles of each other during the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917.  Home: St Marys Street, Long Melford (1891), 47 Burton End, Haverhill, Suffolk (1901), living with Alfred Payne (uncle) at 47 Third Avenue, Manor Park, London (1911), 119 Sheringham Avenue, Manor Park [1917].  Occupation: Ropemaker (1901), Butcher’s Assistant (1911).  Married: Agnes Louise Marsh in 1913.[8]  Service Record: Charlie was conscripted as Pte.27003 with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps, transferring as Pte.44532 to 12^th [Service] Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers before being posted to France.  He was then transferred as Pte.5/6801, later re-numbered as Pte.242031, to 1/5^th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers as part of 149^th [Northumberland] Brigade, 50^th [Northumberland] Division.[9]  Died: Private Payne was killed in action on 26.10.1917, attacking the German front line at Schaap-Balie, north of Ypres and is commemorated, together with his two brothers, on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing [panel 19 to 23 and 162], Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium and on the War Memorial at Haverhill in Suffolk.[10]

Payne, Charles Ambrose – Born: Manor Park, East Ham, Essex on 26.12.1913.[11] Parents: Charles Ambrose Payne of Long Melford [see above for details] and Agnes Louise [née Marsh].  Family Connections: Nephew of Arthur Frederick Payne [b1895] and Alfred Payne [b1897].  Home: 119 Sheringham Avenue, Manor Park [1917], 106 Meanley Road, East Ham, Essex (1921 to 1939).  Occupation: Statistical Clerk for Ilford Films (1939).  Married: Alice Roper in 1947.  Service Record: Charles enlisted and served in Iraq during the Second World War although the unit is unknown.

Payne, Edwin James – Born: Kensington, London in 1883.  Parents: James William Payne of Long Melford (Fishmonger) and Mary Jane [née Cutler].  Home: Fish Shop, Ladbroke Grove Road, Kensington, London (1891 to 1901), 33 Faraday Road, Notting Hill, London (1911).  Occupation: Clerk (1901 to 1911).  Married: Edith Mary Gibbs in 1907.  Service Record: Edwin was conscripted on 14.3.1917 as No.67003 with the Royal Flying Corps, posted to France and transferring to the Royal Air Force Reserve in August 1919 and receiving his discharge in April 1920.[12] 

Payne, Edwin James – Born: Stanstead, Suffolk on 12.11.1896.[13]  Parents: Charles Robert Payne of Long Melford (Gamekeeper) and Mary Ann [née Payne].  Family Connections: Brother to George Robert Payne [b1893].  Home: Upper Street, Stanstead, Suffolk (1901), Shimpling Road, Hartest, Suffolk (1911), 28 Maynewater Lane, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (1939) to [1954].  Occupation: Sugar Beet Factory Worker (1939).  Married: Ada Mary Bowden in 1928.  Service Record: Edwin enlisted on 12.11.1914 as Boy Sailor N^o. J.23532 in the Royal Navy.  During the First World War he served on the scout cruiser HMS Forward in 1914, the battleship HMS Commonwealth in 1915 and 1916, and the light cruiser HMS Undaunted in 1918.  He was invalided out of the Navy in 1926.[14]  Died: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk on 18.3.1954.

Payne, Frank – Born: Gazeley, Suffolk on 8.8.1905.[15]  Parents: Harry Payne of Long Melford (Groom) and Sarah Elizabeth [née Pamment].  Family Connections: Nephew of William Payne [b1877] and Walter Alfred Payne [b1890].  Home: Higham Road, Gazeley, Suffolk (1911), Clare Cottage, Dullingham, Cambridgeshire (1921), 48 Maids Causeway, Dullingham, Cambridgeshire (1939).  Occupation: Butcher’s Boy (1921), Butcher [1926], Motor Cleaner (1939).  Service Record: Frank enlisted on 27.1.1926 as Pte.315749 with the Royal Tank Corps, receiving his discharge on 26.1.1938.[16]

Payne, George Oliver – Born: Onehouse, Suffolk on 30.6.1889.[17]  Parents: Robert Payne of Long Melford (Gardener) and Alice Ellen [née Amos].  Family Connections: Brother to Harry Robert Payne [b1887]; also, cousin of Charles Ambrose Payne [b1886], Arthur Frederick Payne [b1895] and Alfred Payne [b1897].  Home: Onehouse, Suffolk (1891 to 1911), 21 Beaconsfield Terrace, Northampton, Northamptonshire [1919] to (1921), 39 Penrhyn Road, Northampton (1939).  Occupation: House Painter (1911), Motor Driver and Vulcaniser [1914], Motor Engineer (1921), Motor Salesman (1939).  Married: Lucy Honeyball in 1915.  Service Record: George enlisted on 7.9.1914 as Pte.MS/3993 with the Army Service Corps, being posted to France from 23.9.1914 to 30.5.1919.  He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 22.2.1915, transferring on 16.6.1915 to 358^th [Mechanical Transport] Company as part of the Army Service Corps 3^rd Heavy Repair Shop with General Headquarters Lines of Communication troops.  He received his discharge in June 1919.[18]  Died: Northampton, Northamptonshire in 1971.

Payne, George Robert – Born: Hartest, Suffolk on 27.7.1893.[19]  Parents: Charles Robert Payne of Long Melford (Gamekeeper) and Mary Ann [née Payne].  Family Connections: Brother to Edwin James Payne [b1896].  Home: Upper Street, Stanstead, Suffolk (1901), lodging with Reverend Morris (employer) at The Rectory, South Hill, Callington, Cornwall (1911), Claremont, Snakes Lane, Woodford, Essex [1921], 543 Whitton Avenue, Ealing, Middlesex (1939), Ty-Gwyn, Stanwell Road, Penarth, South Glamorgan, Wales [1978].  Occupation: Gardener (1911), Motor Mechanic [1918], Car Engineer Tester (1939).  Married: Grace Wood in 1916.  Service Record: George enlisted in 1913 as Air Mechanic N^o. 664 with the Royal Flying Corps, being posted to France from 13.8.1914 to 17.2.1916. He transferred to the Royal Air Force on 1.4.1918 and was re-posted to France from 11.10.1918 to 28.2.1919, serving with N^o. 38 Squadron and latterly with N^o. 90 Squadron.  He was promoted to Flight Sergeant, receiving his discharge in 1921.[20]  Died: Penarth, South Glamorgan, Wales on 17.12.1978.

Payne, Harry Robert – Born: Sudbury, Suffolk on 30.6.1887.[21]  Parents: Robert Payne of Long Melford (Gardener) and Alice Ellen [née Amos].  Family Connections: Brother to George Oliver Payne [b1889]; also, cousin of Charles Ambrose Payne [b1886], Arthur Frederick Payne [b1895] and Alfred Payne [b1897].  Home: Onehouse, Suffolk (1891 to 1901), Barrosa Barracks, Stanhope Lines, Aldershot, Surrey (1911), 48 Royal Oak Road, Woking, Surrey [1915], 182 Walton Road, Woking, Surrey (1921), 4 Road House Estate, High Street, Old Woking (1939).  Occupation: Gardener (1901), Soldier (1911), Postman [1915] to (1939).  Married: Jessie Gilliam in 1915.  Service Record: Harry enlisted in February 1910 as Pte.7962 of the Suffolk Regiment, serving with 2^nd Battalion, Suffolks in 1911.  He was posted to France with 1^st Battalion, Suffolks from 24.3.1915 as part of 84^th Brigade, 28^th Division.  In May the Suffolks took part in two major actions: the Battles of Frezenberg Ridge and Bellewaarde Ridge, both part of the Second Battle of Ypres.  The Battalion was heavily mauled in these two actions, losing over 400 men at Frezenberg alone.  It may have been at this time that Harry sustained his injury which caused him to be returned to England and transferred to 3^rd [Reserve] Battalion Suffolks before being issued with a Silver War Badge and discharged on 6.9.1915, due to the loss of his left eye.[22]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1971.

Payne, Walter Alfred – Born: Gazeley, Suffolk in 1890.  Parents: James William Payne of Long Melford (Butcher) and Emily [née Goody].  Family Connections: Brother to William Payne [b1877] and uncle of Frank Payne [b1905].  Home: The Main Street, Gazeley, Suffolk (1891), The Street, Moulton, Suffolk (1901), Brook Tide, Moulton (1911).  Occupation: Gamekeeper (1911).  Service Record: Walter was conscripted as Rfn.8262 with the London Regiment, being posted to France on 4.2.1917 as Rfn.394062 and joining ‘B’ Company, 2/9^th [County of London] Battalion [Queen Victoria’s Rifles] as part of 175^th Brigade, 58^th (2/1^st London) Division.[23]  Died: Rifleman Payne was killed in action on 1.3.1917, is buried in Le Fermont Military Cemetery [grave ref: II.E.5], Riviere, Pas de Calais, France and commemorated on the War Memorial at Moulton in Suffolk.[24]

Payne, William – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1877.  Parents: James William Payne of Long Melford (Butcher) and Emily [née Goody].  Family Connections: Brother to Walter Alfred Payne [b1890] and uncle of Frank Payne [b1905].    Home: Hall Street, Long Melford (1881), Exning Road, Newmarket, Suffolk, (1891), The Street, Moulton, Suffolk (1901), 1 Grosvenor Street, Camberwell, London (1911), 1 Kemerton Road, Camberwell [1917] to (1921).  Occupation: Butcher’s Porter (1891), Platelayer (1901), Night-watchman (1911), Fitter’s Labourer (1921).  Married: Lizzie Middleditch in 1908.  Service Record: William was conscripted on 24.7.1916 as an Aircraft Mechanic No.38726 with the Royal Flying Corps.  He was posted to Rouen in France from 13.10.1916 to 28.2.1919, transferring to the Royal Air Force Reserve in April 1919 and receiving his discharge in April 1920.[25]

Notes – [1] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 11.9.1898, St Marys Church, Haverhill, Suffolk. [2] For details of 3/10^th Middlesex’s movements and a fuller description of the action where Alfred Payne fell, see War Diary [WO 95/1482/2], also Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329], and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [3] Commonwealth War Graves Commission record and British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 file [ref: 704441].  [4] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 11.9.1898, St Marys Church, Haverhill, Suffolk. [5] The enlistment date is based on Fred’s service number as listed on http://armyservicenumbers.blogspot.co.uk/ 2011/09/4th-suffolk-regiment-1908-1914.html.  For details of 6^th Green Howards movements during Private Payne’s time with the Battalion see War Diary [WO 95/1809/4].  Also see Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  All military records are recorded under the name Frederick Payne.  [6] Commonwealth War Graves Commission record and British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 File [ref: 571766].  [7] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 28.10.1891, St Catherines Mission Church, Long Melford. [8] Name of spouse confirmed by Ambrose Payne’s Soldiers’ Effects file.  [9] For details of 1/5^th Northumberland Fusiliers movements and a fuller description of the action where Private Payne fell see War Diary [WO 95/2828/2].  Also see Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329], and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  All his military records are recorded under the name Charles A. Payne.  [10] Commonwealth War Graves Commission register and British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 file [ref: 608420].  [11] 1939 Register.  [12] Royal Air Force Airman’s Records [AIR 79/617/67003].  [13] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 28.2.1897, St James Church, Stanstead, Suffolk. [14] Royal Navy Registers of Seaman’s Services [ADM 188/694] and Medal and Award Rolls [ADM 171/112].  [15] 1939 Register.  [16] Royal Tank Corps Enlistment Records, 1919-1934.  [17] Date of birth from the 1939 Register for Northampton, Northamptonshire, and Death Index. [18] For details of 358^th Company’s role see War Diaries [WO 95/4167/3-7].   See also his Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329], and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [19] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 10.9.1893, St James Church, Stanstead, Suffolk and the 1939 Register.  [20] Air Member for Personnel and predecessors: Airman’s Records [AIR 79/9], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  Also see pages on N^os.38 and 90 Squadrons on https://en. Wikipedia.org.  [21] Date of birth from the 1939 Register for Woking, Surrey.  [22] For details of 1^st Suffolk’s movements up to September 1915 see War Diary [WO 95/2277/3] and Murphy, Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. R. The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927 [London: Hutchinson and Co, 1928], pp.49-56,64-70 and 75-81.  See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War, Silver War Badge [WO 329] record [ref: 7301], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [23] Medal Roll [WO 329], Medal Index Card [WO 372], and Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 [ref:11/Pp/24810].  [24] Commonwealth War Graves Commission record and British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 File [ref: 431968].  [25] Air Member for Personnel and predecessors: Airman’s Records [AIR 79/38726].