Name
Alfred Payne
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
24/04/1918
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
L/12749
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CRUCIFIX CORNER CEMETERY, VILLERS-BRETONNEUX
III. D. 12
France
Headstone Inscription
THY WILL BE DONE
UK & Other Memorials
St Albans Citizens Memorial,
Town Hall (old) Memorial, St Albans,
Fleetville Memorial (Hatfield Rd Cemetery), St Albans,
Not on the Wheathampstead memorials,
We are not aware of any memorials on Marford
Pre War
Alfred was born in Marford, Wheathampstead in 1888 to Jabez Payne, a domestic servant groom & gardener, and Emily (nee Bywaters).
On the 1891 Census his parents, elder brothers John (born 1882), Frank (born 1883), Frederick (born 1885, Arthur (born 1887), Alfred, and younger sister Louisa (born 1891) were living at Neston Road, Wheathampstead.
On the 1901 Census the family now with Frank, a blacksmith, Frederick, a house boy, Arthur, egg packer, Alfred , a newspaper boy and Louisa, were living at New Marford, Wheathampstead with the addition of Ruth (born 1893), Annie (born 1895), Charles (born 1897), Ellen (born 1898) and Emily (born 1900).
On the 1911 Census Alfred is listed as serving with 2nd Battalion, Duke of Cambridge’s (Middlesex) Regiment at Bordon Camp, Hants. His occupation is given as cook. His parents were living at 10 Kimberly Road, Fleetville, St Albans (an address that Alfred gave on some documents) and the family had increased with addition of Minnie (born 1902), Alice (born 1903) and Ethel (born1907)
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for Alfred, but at some time he was promoted to Lance Corporal.
On the outbreak of the Great War the 2nd Battalion were stationed in Malta and were recalled to UK landing in Sep 1914. Following re-equipment and becoming part of 23 Brigade, 8 Division they landed at Le Havre on 7 Nov 1914. Alfred was probably present at the Battles of Neuve Chapelle (Mar 1915), Aubers (Jul 1915), Battle of the Somme (1916) and in 1917 as part of the great Battle of Paschendaele at Pilckem and Langemarck. In 1918 the 2nd Middlesex were involved in the defence against the German Spring Offensive in the Somme Area. On 24-25 Apr 1918 the 2nd Middlesex took part in a night attack to recapture of Villers-Bretonneux to end the German advance in that area. During this action Alfred was reported to have been killed on 24 Apr 1918.
Additional Information
War gratuity of £21 10s and arrears of £20 14s was paid to his father.
His mother, Mrs. E. Payne, of 9, Kimberley Rd., Fleetville, St. Albans, ordered his headstone inscription: "THY WILL BE DONE".
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Gareth Hughes
