Lance Corporal Jack F. PAYNE (d. 26 September 1916)

 

John Stewart via Nottage 04503b

 

The photograph of the Band taken at Codford St.Mary, Wilts, whilst the 10th Essex Regiment was undergoing training with the 18th (Eastern) Division prior to going to France in July 1915. Horace Pitt is in the centre of the front row.

Photograph from the Essex Regimental Museum archives

Jack Payne was born in 1890 to William and Caroline Payne who lived in Park Road, Wivenhoe. He had three brothers. All four of them were very musical and they all went to war.

Jack enlisted in the 10^th  Battalion of the Essex Regiment. His Regimental Number was 12979.  He had been a member of the Wivenhoe Wesley Guild Brass Band in which he played the cornet. He eventually became Conductor of the 10^th Battalion Band.

He was promoted to Lance Corporal and was killed in action on 26th September 1916, aged 26.

The Essex County Standard published the following  in the edition of 28th September 1918:  “IN MEMORIAM.  PAYNE.—In loving memory of our dear son, Lance-Cpl. Jack Payne, 10^th Essex Regiment, killed in action on the Somme, Sept. 26, 1916.

“Sleep on, dear son, in a far off land.

In a grave we may never see,

But as long as life and memory last

We will remember thee.”

He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier & Face 10D, and on the Wivenhoe War Memorial.