Lance Corporal Charles Henry Payne
6th Battalion, Prince Albert’s (Somerset Light Infantry)
Killed in Action
Date of Birth: 1889
Place of Birth: Shaldon, Devon
Date of Death: 16 September 1916
Buried: Corbles Communal Cemetery Extension. Remembered on Bishopsteignton War Memorial.
Awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal
Lance Corporal Charles Henry Payne, age 27.
Charles was born 1889 in Shaldon, the son of John Charles Roberts Payne and Ellen Louise Marchant. His father was born in Trusham and the family lived in Stokeinteignhead, then briefly in Shaldon before settling in Bishopsteignton.
In 1909 Charles, whose occupation was gardener, married Sarah Jane Smith in Uffculme. His wife's residence at time of her husband's death was Orchard Portman, Somerset.
Somerset Light Infantry Cap Badge.
He joined Prince Albert's (Somerset Light Infantry) 6th Battalion, service no. 25581, which was formed in Taunton in 1914.
The battalion went to the Western Front as part of 14th (Light) Division and suffered heavy losses.
Lance Corporal Payne was killed in action. The date is recorded as 16 September 1916. He was not initially identified but was eventually identified from his serial number at stamped on his boot.
Buried at Corbles Communal Cemetery Extension. Remembered on Bishopsteignton War Memorial.
Headstone inscription reads: "Sleep husband dear thy work is done thy trouble is over thy crown is won".
Lance Corporal Payne's uncle, Thomas Samuel Payne, who lived in Shaldon and fought with the Royal Horse Artillery was one among several of the Payne family who answered the call to enlist.
