Private Frederick George Payne
Coldstream Guards
Killed in Action
Date of Birth: 1893
Place of Birth: Shaldon, Devon
Date of Death: 17 January 1915 aged 22
Buried: Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L'avoue and the Shaldon War Memorial.
Private Frederick George Payne, aged 22, was born in Shaldon 1893 into the family of Thomas Payne, born Trusham 1834 and his wife, Mary Elizabeth, of Highweek.
The family lived for some years in Stokeinteignhead but by 1891 were living in Ringmore Road, Shaldon. The 1911 census finds Fred and three of his siblings living with his grandmother at Rose Cottage, 29 Ringmore Road. He was working as a farm labourer.
Coldstream Guards
Cap Badge
Fred was in the TA and had joined the Coldstream Guards in 1912. He enlisted in Teignmouth and records show that he embarked on 12 August 1914, arriving at Le Havre on the following day.
During the afternoon of 20 December 1914 the 1st Guards and 3rd Brigades were sent to the assistance of of the hard pressed Indian Corps. 2nd Brigade arrived by bus later in the day. Delayed by dark, water logged ground and machine fire they eventually relieved the Manchesters in Givenchy and the remnants of Sirhind Brigade at Festubert. Conditions were horrendous, with freezing rain and flooded trenches. Casualties were high and Private Payne was killed in action at Rue L'Epinette, close to Festubert, on 17 January 1915.
Private Payne, service no 9502, is Remembered with Honour at Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L'avoue and the Shaldon War Memorial.
Thomas, Samuel, Alfred and William Payne, all members of this same family, also served in WWI.
