PAYNE, Edward

Edward Payne attended Brockmoor School and married Edith of 15 Toster Street, Moor Lane, Brierley Hill. He was an early volunteer for the South Staffords and joined the 7th (Service) Battalion who were sent to Gallipoli in 1915 as reinforcements to the main expeditionary force. They landed at Suvla Bay on the 6th August but were not successful in reaching the vital ridge on the peninsula. They were evacuated to Egypt in a skilful operation in January 1916. They stayed in Egypt until August and then moved to the Western Front to take part in the Battle of the Somme. They took over trenches in the Thiepval-Ovillers sector and then fought in the 26th September battle for Thiepval. It had been a long struggle since the first day of the Somme but the ruined village was finally taken. Private Edward Payne was seriously wounded and taken to a Casualty Clearing Station where he died of wounds on the 3rd October. He was 25 years of age and is buried in Contay British Cemetery (III A 4) and commemorated on the Brierley Hill and Brierley Hill church Memorials.