Alfred Arthur Payne (1892-1927)

Dates

Birth: October-December 1892 St Saviour, London, UK
Father: George William Payne 1841-1926
Mother: Sarah Jane Gill 1854-1905

Marriage: Believed not married

Death: April-June 1927 Hastings, East Sussex, UK

Children

None known

Notes

Birth of Alfred Arthur Payne in FreeBMD in October-December 1892 in St Saviour (1d 48).

In the 1901 census as Alfred Payne, aged 8, born in London, and living with his mother (Sarah J) and a visitor (William G Bell aged 9 born in London) at 76 Oakley Street, Lambeth (although my A-Z places this in SW3, the map reference is north of the Thames in Chelsea as the northern continuation of Albert Bridge). His father was a patient at the Metropolitan Convalescent Institution at Bexhill on Sea, Sussex.

His mother died in 1905.

He joined the territorial force in 1909, initially for 4 years after which he re-engaged for another 2. He was called up at the start of the war and served in Malta where an incident and injury caused him to leave the force in 1916. There seems to have been some dispute about his leaving, and after the war attempted but failed to get a war pension on the grounds of insanity.

From the Ancestry British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 he was a private in the 2 London Regiment no 471 and received the British Medal and T F War Medal.

The second entry for Alfred Arthur Payne in the Ancestry British Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920 contains:

His Attestation for entry into 2 Battalion City of London (Royal Fusiliers). He was of the parish of St George the Martyr in Surrey aged 16 years and 4 months, a baker's assistant at 22 Tracy Steet, Newington SE, and residing at 9 Dorset Street, Newington Causeway, SE. He signed for 4 years, his signature was witnessed by George William Payne at 9 Tufton Street, SW on 12 January 1909. His medical report dated 13 January 1909 states he was 16 years 4 months, height 5 feet 3.25 inches, fully expanded girth of 32 inches with 2 inches range, normal vision

A handwrirtten note from his father states "I give my consent for you to join George W Payne".

On 10 January 1913 he agreed to to re-engage for another 2 years.

An entry in his Company Conduct Sheet states on 30 January 1915 he broke out of barracks at dusk and on 1 February received 7 days confined to barracks.

A letter date 18 January 1916 from O i/c Floriana Military Hospital to O i/c Details London Regiment Polverista states "Herewith documents repecting Drummer Payne. Kindly note that this man will shortly proceed to England. The name of the ship and date of departuture will be reported to you."

A letter dated 16 April 1916 from 8 Haracott Camp at Salisbury to the Officer in charge of Territorial Records, London states "No 471 Drummer Pyne states his period of engagement expired last January. Will you please verify this, and if correct forward discharge documents as this man does not wish to re-engage".

On 18 August 1919 there is an application for discharge papers.

His Medical History states he was examined on 15 January 1909 at 9 Ingston St, SW. He came from the parish of St George the Martyr in Surrey. He was 16 and 11 months. He was employed as a baker's assistant. His height was 5 feet 3.25 inches, a chest of 30 inches maximum expansion 2 inches. A lower plate was fitted on 22 March 1916. He was admitted to Cottonera Hospital, Malta on 20 November 1914 with vomiting and neurotic and discharged on 7 December. A note states he was admitted 10 days after a blow. On 1 February 1916 he was admitted to Southmead Hospital, Bristol and discharged on 1 April. A note states he was kicked in the stomach in November 1914 and subject to vomiting since. Following admission he vomitted several times after food. His nutrition was good and no physical cause was solicited. At a Court of Inquiry dated 20 October 1915 at Floriana Barracks Malta he stated that "In November 1914 at Fort Mansel?, Malta he was while acting as a Battn Military Policeman kicked in the abdomen by a Maltese Trespasser whom he had warned off". "I am of the opinion that he was on duty when he received his injury and that he was not to blame for having sustained same". "This man is totally unfit for any heavy duty at present. He was examined by the consulting surgeon who was of the opinion that he is at present unfit for duty and should be sent to England and possible have an exploratory laparotomy performed".

A Casulty on Active Service Form states he enlisted on 13 January 1909 for 4 years. He was at Bordon in 1910 (31 July-14 August), Frith Hill in 1911 (6 to 20 August), had training in 1913, a private in camps from 5 August 1914 to 3 January 1915, appointed a drummer in 27 March 1915 and discharged on termination of engagement on 4 May 1916. His next of kin was George William Payne of 9 Dorset Street, Newington Causeway, SE. He was at home between 13 January and 4 September 1914, in Malta from 5 September 1914 to 31 January 1916, and at home from 1 February 1916 to 4 May 1916.

His proceedings on discharge state he was in the 1/2 London Regiment, was discharged in London, aged 23 years and 8 months, he was 5 feet 4.5 inches, girth of 35 inches expandable by 2 inches, he was of pale complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair, tattooed on his right forearm with a snake, eagle and MALTA 1914 was a lithographic draughtsman and intended to live at 193 Holly Dale Road, New Cross, SE. His military character was exemplary. He was a good steady reliable man, teetotaller, a skilled lithograghic draughtsman, and strongly recommended for employment. He signed on 20 April 1916, but added a reservation that he had not drawn a full weeks pay since May 9 1915.

An Award Sheet for a pension gives his discharge as Termination of Engagement. An application for a pension submitted on account of insanity was rejected on 3 December 1919 as it was judged not due to or aggrevated by service.

A post card dated 1922 requesting his current address was sent to him at ? Causeway, but was returned to sender at Gloucester Buildings, Regents Park marked Gone Away.

August 1914 : at Tufton Street in Westminster. Part of 1st London Brigade, 1st London Division. Moved on mobilisation to guarding the Amesbury-Southampton docks railway.
4 September 1914 : sailed with Brigade from Southampton to Malta, arriving Valetta 14 September.
2 January 1915 : left Malta, arrived at Marseilles on 6 January.

There are four entries in Ancestry London, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1965 for Alfred Arthur Payne address 22 Dashwood Road, Nine Elms, Battersea, Wandsworth from 1921 to 1927, another family living at the same address.

Death of Alfred A Payne in FreeBMD in April-June 1927 aged 36 in Hastings (2b 52).

There are many entries in Ancestry Public Member Trees who confuse him with Alfred Arthur Macdonald Payne, the son of George William Payne and Edith Alice Farrow who married Sarah Selina Christianna Turner in Walworth in 1920. The latter is in the 1911 census living at 42 Marshall St, Southwark and employed as a transferer for a printer, and was baptised in Walworth All Saints, Southwark on 16 October 1892 as Alfred Arthur Paine.

Relationship

Alfred Arthur Payne was my half granduncle.

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