Sub Lieutenant, Collingwood Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Died at sea 4 June 1915. Aged 18. Son of Henry and Chloe Bolton, of Rest Harrow, Crowborough. No known grave. Commemorated on Helles Memorial, Turkey. Panel 8 to 15.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918:

BOLTON, WILFRID. Sub-Lieut., R.N.V.R. CollIngwood Battn., 2nd s. of Henry Lushington Bolton, of The Sanctuary, Westminster, and The Gables, Crowborough Beacon, Sussex, Solicitor, by his wife Chloe, dau. of James Richard Gordon; b. Porchester Terrace, London. 26 May, 1897; educ. at The Grange, Crowborough; Parkfield, Haywards Heath; Osborne and Dartmouth. On leaving Dartmouth in April, 1914, he was rejected for the Navy on account of a slight defect in sight. On the outbreak of war joined the R.N.V.R., and was killed in Gallipoli. 4 June, 1915.

Private 301525, 720th Company, Labour Corps. Died 17 December 1918. Aged 45. Son of David and Sarah Brown, of Crowborough; husband of Eliza Elizabeth Ann Brown, of Dale Cottage, Hurtis Hill, Crowborough, Sussex. Formerly SS/22385, 24th Labour Company, Royal Army Service Corps. Buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, Pas de Calais, France. Plot XII. Row D. Grave 8.

Captain, 7th/8th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers. Killed in action 31 July 1917. Aged 26. Son Albert and Elizabeth Causley, of 43, Regent Square, Heavitree, Exeter; husband of Margaret Husband (formerly Causley, nee Slater), of 2, Forest View, Marden’s Hill, Crowborough, Sussex, married 1915, afterdeath she married Ernest Alfred Husband in 1921. Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.) No known grave. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Panel 22.

Private G/16555, Depot, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died in the Military Hospital, Fulham, 16 August 1917. Born in 1876 in Speldhurst, Kent. Son of Ernest and Sophia Charlton. Frank moved with his wife Mildred to Croft Road, Crowborough where he was a florist, seedsman, greengrocer and shopkeeper (1911 census). Buried in the Kent and Sussex Cemetery and Crematorium, Tunbridge Wells (Tunbridge Wells Cemetery according to CWGC). Plot B. Row 3. Grave 237.

Major, 10th (Royal East Kent and West Kent Yeomanry) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died of pneumonia following influenza 27 February 1919 in the Robert Fleming Hospital for Officers, 27 Grosvenor Square, London. Aged 36. Born 1883 in Reigate. Son of George and Emma Simpson, of Wray Park, Reigate, Surrey; husband of Finovola Eleanor (nee Maclean) Cordy-Simpson, daughter of Sir Fitzroy Maclean, 10th Bart. of Duart, K.C.B. (now Mrs F. W. Marsham, of Hope Court, Crowborough, Sussex), married 7 April 1908 at Paddington, London. They moved to Hope Court, Rannoch Road, Crowborough (1911 Census) and had two sons there – Col. John Roger Cordy Simpson (1910-1979) and Captain George Fitzroy Cordy Simpson (1914-1945). After Roger’s death Finovola remarried Major Francs Bullock Marsham on 14 April 1922 at Eltham, Kent. Buried in Reigate Cemetery, Surrey. Grave reference C. 1556/6B and 1586/7.

Extract from Surrey Mirror, Friday 7 March 1919, page 1:

ROLL OF HONOUR.

CORDY-SIMPSON.-On Thursday, the 27th February, at 27, Grosvenor Square, pneumonia following influensa. Captain (Act. Major) Roger Cordy-Simpson, West Kent (Queen's Own) Yeomanry, only surviving son of Mrs. George Simpson, of Wray Park. Reigate aged 35. b435

Captain, 32nd Sikh Pioneers, Indian Army. Died 28 April 1915 in a Field Hospital in Ypres. He was born on 9 September 1883, in Guernsey, Channel Islands to Alexander Walmesby Cruickshank, of the Indian Civil Service, and his wife Fanny Nina who had retired to live at Brooklands, Ghyll Road, Crowbough. He married Helena Marsden Herring at Eton in July 1914 and in 1915 she was a resident of Wraysbury House, Wraysbury, Bucks. Buried in Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, Hazebrouck, Departement du Nord, Pas de Calais, France. Plot II. Row H. Grave 17.

Extract from Bond of Sacrifice Officers Died in the Great War 1914-1916, Volume 2, page 112-113:

CAPTAIN ARTHUR HENRY PRINSEP CRUICKSHANK, 32nd SIKH PIONEERS, second son of Alexander Walmesley Cruickshank, C.S.I., late Bengal Civil Service, and of his wife, Fanny Nina, daughter of Claymont John Daniell, late Bengal Civil Service, was born at Guernsey, on the 9th September, 1883.

He was educated at Lambrook and afterwards at Rugby and R.M.A., Woolwich. At Rugby he was in his House Football XV, and Secretary to the Rugby School Natural History Society. At Woolwich he was in the Gymnasium VIII.

From Woolwich he was gazetted to the Royal Garrison Artillery in July, 1903, and at the Cape until May, 1904, when he transferred to the Indian Army, and serving with the Cameronians for a year at Nowshera he joined the 32nd Sikh Pioneers in October, 1905, as Lieutenant.

In 1907 he made a journey from Bandar to Shiraz with Lieutenant A. T. Wilson, Sikh Pioneers, an account of which appeal in the "Geographical Journal" of February, 1908, illustrated by photographs taken by Captain Cruickshank. In 1908 he took in operations in the Mohmand Country, North West Frontier of India, for which he received the medal with clasp. He was promoted Captain in July, 1912. Captain Cruickshank was fond of sport generally, but was particularly interested in ornithology, having made a large collection of the eggs of birds found in the plains of India and in the mountains of the North.

On the outbreak of the war with Germany he was at home on leave, and after serving a few months with the 11th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, was attached to the Sikh Pioneers, which regiment he joined in France. He received two wounds at Givenchy on the 23rd November, 1914, and was invalided to England. After recovering he rejoined the 34th Sikhs in France early in March, 1915, and on the 27th April, near Ypres, was wounded in the head, and died on the following day. He was buried in Hazebruck Cemetery.

Captain Cruickshank married Helena Marsden, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Cordy Herring, of Wraysbury House, Wraysbury, Bucks, on 21st July, 1914.

Private. No further information currently.

Lance Corporal L/7454, 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in action 9 May 1915. Born Rotherfield, Sussex, enlisted Chichester. No known grave. Commemorated on LE TOURET MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 20 and 21.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918:

HODGES, GEORGE WALTER, L.-Corpl., 2nd Battn. (107th Foot) The Royal Sussex Regt., s. of George Walter Hodges, of St. John's Common, Crowborough, co. Sussex, Labourer, by his wife, Mary, dau. of James Goldsmith ; and brother to Private J. E. Hodges and Private S. J. Hodges (q.v.); b. Crowborough aforesaid, 18 March, 1885 ; educ. St. John's Church of England School, Wittingham ; joined the Army at the age of 18, and was called up as a Reservist when war broke out in Aug. 1914 ; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders; was reported wounded and missing after the fighting at Richebourg l'Avoue, 9 May, 1915, and is now assumed to have been killed in action on that date ; m.

Private TF/5/2810, 5th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in action 13 April 1916. Enlisted Hastings. Son of George Walter and Mary Hodges, of St John’s Common, Crowborough, Sussex. Buried in Hebuterne Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row Q. Grave 13.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918:

HODGES, JAMES ELI. Private, No. 2810. 5th (Territorial) Battn. The Royal Sussex Regt., s. of George Walter Hodges, of St. John's Common, Crowborough, Labourer, by his wife, Mary, dau. of James Goldsmith; and brother to L-Corpl G. W. Hodges and Private S. J. Hodge. (q.v.): b. Crowborourth. co. Sussex, 21 Feb. 1896; educ. St. John’s Church Of England School, Wittingham, co. Sussex; was a Pluimber’s Mate; joined the Royal Sussex Regt.. 5 Nov. 1914: served with the Expeditionary Force, in France and Flanders fron June, 1915, and was killed In action at Hebuterne 13 April, 1916. Buried In the cemetery, Hebuterne: “ unm.

Private 49887 [SDGW] or 40887 [CWGC], 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. Killed in action 2 October 1917. Born and resident Crowborough, enlisted Eastbourne. Son of George W. and Mary Hodges, of St. John's Common, Crowborough, Sussex. No known grave. Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 90 to 92 and 162 to 162A.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918:

HODGES, SAMUEL JOSEPH, Private, No. 40887, 1st Battn. (38th Foot) The South Staffordshire Regt., s. of George Walter Hodges, of St. John's Common, Crowborough, Labourer, by his wife, Mary, dau. of James Goldsmith ; and brother to L.-Corpl. G. W. Hodges and Private J. E. Hodges (q.v.); b. Crow-borough, co. Sussex, 2 Aug. 1898 ; educ. St. John's Schools, Wittingham ; was working for Messrs. Peerless and Dennis, Government Contractors ; enlisted in the South Staffordshire Regt. 2 March, 1917 ; served with the Expeditionary Force in France from 5 Aug., and was killed in action 2 Oct. following. Buried where he fell ; unm.

Major, 10th Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), attached to The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Died pf wounds 2 October 1918. Aged 25. Son of Joseph Edward and Annie Eliza Holden, of Crowborough, Sussex. Awarded the Distihuished Service Order (D.S.0.) and the Military Cross (M.C.). Buried in Hagle Dump Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot VI. Row E. Grave 4.

Captain, Royal Army Medical Corp attached 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Died of wounds 28 August 1914. Aged 34. Son of James Blyth Leckie and Selina Leckie, of Monkstown, Crowborough, Sussex. Awarded the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) and Mentioned in Despatches. Buried in Frameries Communal Cemetery, Belgium. Plot I. Row B. Grave 1.

Chaplin 4th Class, Army Chaplins Department attached A.M.T.D. Base. Died 28 February 1917. Aged 27. Son of Annie Ledbitter. Buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, France. Plot 2. Row O. Grave 3.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918:

LEDBITTER, HERBERT PETER, Capt. the Rev., C.F., 2nd s. of (--) Ledbitter, by his wife, Annie (13, Farningham Road, Jarvis Brook, co. Sussex); b. Rusper, co. Sussex, 14 Oct. 1889 ; educ. Kelham Hall Theological College, Newark-on-Trent; was appointed Curate at St. Augustine's Church, Haggerston, E., in 1914; joined the R.A.M.C. as a Private in Oct. 1915; was given a commission as Chaplain to the Forces 25 Feb. 1916 ; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 1 Nov. following, and died at Le Tréport Camp 28 Feb. 1917, from cerebro-spinal meningitis, contracted while on active service. Buried in the British Military Cemetery there. The Rev. H. W. Fox wrote: “We all loved him, and both Y.M.C.A. workers and Nonconformist Chaplains have asked me to express their sympathy with you. I think you will like to know how good a work your son did during the four months he was here: no one could have been more whole-hearted in his work," and the Chaplain, writing to the D.C.G., said "He had done very good work here ever since he came out, and I was hoping to submit his name to you almost immediately for transfer to the front. He will be very much missed both by ourselves and by the men among whom he has been working." Unm.

Lieutenant Commander, H.M.S. ‘Onslaught’, Royal Navy. Killed in action (Battle of Jutland), died at sea 1 June 1916. Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (D.S.C.). Brother of Milo and Brian (below). Buried in Dalmeny and Queensferry Cemetery, West Lothian.

Extracts (two) from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918:

ONSLOW, ARTHUR GERALD, D.S.C., Lieut.-Commander. Royal Navy, eldest s. of the late Colonel Gerald Charles Penrice Onslow, Royal Engineers, by his wife, Flora Frances Mary (Camperdown, Crowborough, co. Sussex), dau. of the late William Donald, of Lisle House, Cheltenham ; and brother to Lieut. Brian Walter Onslow, killed in action at Gallipoli 28 July, 1915 [see Vol. I.. page 274] ; and brother to Capt. and Adjutant M. R. B. Onslow (q.v.) ; b. in 1885 ; educ. H.M.S. Britannia, Dartmouth (1898) ; appointed Naval Cadet in 1899, Midshipman 15 July, 1901, Sub-Lieut. 15 Oct. 1904, Lieut. 15 Oct. 1906, and Lieut.-Commander 15 Oct. 1914 ; served as a Midshipman with the Somaliland Expedition in 1903 ; mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry on several occasions, and a medal for war services. He died 1 June, 1918, of wounds received in action, after doing gallant work whilst in command of H.M.S. Onslaught, at the Battle of Jutland. Buried in the Naval Cemetery at Dalmeny, Queensferry. He m. Elsie (5, Banks Terrace, Sheerness), and had one child.

ONSLOW, ARTHUR GERALD, D.S.C., Lieut.-Commander, Royal Navy, eldest s. of the late Col. Gerald Charles Penrice Onslow, R.N., by his wife, Flora Frances Mary (Camperdown, Crowborough, co. Sussex), dau. of the late William Donald, of Lisle House, Cheltenham; b. in India 13 May, 1885; educ. Britannia; appointed Naval Cadet; promoted Midshipman, 15 July, 1901, Sub-Lieut. 15 Oct. 1904, Lieut. 15 Oct. 1906, and Lieut.-Commander 15 Oct. 1914; served as a Midshipman with the Somaliland Expedition 1903; mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry on several occasions, and a Medal with clasp for War Services. He died 1 June, 1916, of wounds received in action, after doing gallant work whilst in command of H.M.S. Onslaught, at the Battle of Jutland. Burled in the Naval Cemetery at Dalmeny, Queensferry. His yst. brother, Lieut. Brian Walton Onslow, 11th Lancers, A.D.C. to General Sir William Birdwood, was killed in action in Gallipoli 28 July, 1915 (see Vol. I., p. 274). He m. at St. Mary Abbots, Kensington, W., 31 Aug.1912, Elsie, dau. of the late J. Hinde Crouch, of Hove, and had one child, Diana Rosemary, b. 24 Feb. 1915.

Lieutenant, 11th King Edward's Own Lancers (Probyn's Horse). Died 28 July 1915. Aged 22. Youngest son of Mrs. Onslow, of Camperdown, Crowborough, Sussex, and the late Col. Gerald Onslow (R.E.). A.D.C. to Lt. Gen. Sir William R. Birdwood, K.C.S.I., K.C.M.G., C.B., C.I.E., D.S.O. Brother of Arthur (above) and Milo (below). Mentioned in Despatches. Buried in Beach Cemetery, Anzac, Turkey (including Gallipoli). Plot II. Row F. Grave 6.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918:

ONSLOW, BRIAN WALTON, Lieut., 11th (King's Edward's Own) Lancers (Probyn's Horse), Indian Army, and A.D.C. to Gen. Sir William Birdwood, yst. s. of the late Col. Gerald Charles Penrice Onslow, Royal Engineers, by his wife, Flora Frances Mary (Camperdown, Crowborough, co. Sussex), dau. of the late William Donald, of Lisle House, Cheltenham; b. Gillingham, co. Kent, 24 Aug. 1892; educ. Cheltenham College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut., Unattached List, 6 Sept. 1911; served his first year with the Royal West Kent Regt., passed into the Indian Army, 3 Dec. 1912, and was promoted Lieut. 6 Pee, 1913; took part in the landing at the Dardanelles, 25 April, 1915, and was killed in action there, 28 July, 1915; unm. Buried at Anzac Cove. He was mentioned in Gen. Sir Ian Hamilton's despatch of 22 Sept. [London Gazette. 5 Nov. 1915]. Gen. Sir William Birdwood wrote: “A finer fellow or better example of the true English gentleman never lived. A son of whom any mother must always have been most justly proud. Never out of temper, always doing what he could to help others, able far above the average. I had hoped a brilliant career was in store for him. Every individual here regrets and feels his death. I have lost the best and bravest of officers, the truest and trustiest of friends": and a brother officer: "Few people could be so ill-spared. I never met or hope to meet a more lovable character; best at everything he ever did, both in work and play, and always so cheerful. I never heard anyone say anything but good of him, and he was quite the most popular officer both with the men and in the mess." Admiral wrote from the Dardanelles: “He was a splendid young fellow. We on board only knew him for a few months, but in that short time he made himself very popular with us all. Everybody liked him and admired him, and we looked on him as the true ideal of a British soldier. I fully realise what a great loss his services must be to Gen. Birdwood and to the service generally." And the Principal of Cheltenham College: “He has left an influence and power behind him that many an older man would be proud to leave." While at Cheltenham he won a mathematical scholarship, and was one of the most prominent members of the hockey eleven and football fifteen. He was a keen athlete, a good polo player, pigsticker, golfer, etc. Two of his brothers and two brothers-in-law are (1916) serving either in the Army or Navy. His eldest brother, Lieut.-Commander A. G. Onslow, D.S.C., was killed in action in the Battle of Jutland, 1 June, 1916.

Captain, 21st Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry (F.F.) (Daly's Horse). Died 5 November 1917. Aged 29. Son of the late Col. G. C. P. Onslow (R.E.) and of Flora F. M. Onslow. Brother of Arthur and Brian (above) Buried in Baghdad (North gate) Cemetery War Cemetery, Iraq. Plot II. Row C. Grave 10.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918:

ONSLOW, MILO RICHARD BEAUMONT, Capt. and Adjutant, 21st Cavalry Frontier Force, Indian Army, 2nd s. of the late Colonel Gerald Charles Penrice Onslow, Royal Engineers, by his wife, Flora Frances Mary (Camperdown, Crow-borough), dau. of the late William Donald ; and brother to the late Lieut.- Commander A. G. Onslow, D.S.C., R.N. (q.v.), and to the late Lieut. B. W. Onslow, 11th (K.E.O.) Lancers [see Vol. I., page 274] ; b. 30 March, 1888 ; educ. Eastbourne and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst ; was gazetted 2nd Lieut. Indian Cavalry in Jan. 1907, and in the following year served with the Mohmund Expedition, receiving the Medal and clasp ; served with the Indian Expeditionary Force from Nov.1914 ; was wounded in the Persian Gulf in April, 1915, and again at the Battle of Ctesiphon in the following Nov., and died at a Casualty Clearing Hospital at Samarrah 5 Nov. 1917, of wounds received in action the same day. Buried at Samarrah. He was mentioned in Despatches by General Sir John Nixon for gallant and distinguished conduct in the field ; unm.

Private 2190, ‘C’ Company, 5th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died of wounds 16 October 1915 [SDGW] or 18 October 1915 [CWGC]. Aged 19. Born Watford, enlisted Crowborough. Only son of Chas. J. and Mary Jane Strange, of ‘Brackleigh’, Crowborough, Sussex. Went to France 18th Feb., 1915. Buried in Louvencourt Military Cemetery, Somme, France. Plot 1. Row C. Grave 10.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918:

STRANGE, ARNOLD JOHN WARD, Private, No 2190, 5th (Cinque Ports) Battn. The Royal Sussex Regt. (T.F.). only s. of Charles James Strange, of Brackleigh, Crow-borough, Sussex, retired Farmer, by his wife, Mary Jane, dau. of Thomas Ward; b. Silsworth Lodge, Crich, Rugby, 8 Sept. 1896; educ. King Charles' School, Tunbridge Wells. On the outbreak of war joined the Sussex Territorials and signed on for foreign service, 14 Aug. 1914; went to France, 18 Feb. 1915, the battn. being held in reserve for the 2nd Sussex; selected as sniper for his platoon, 4 March, 1915; mortally wounded by a shell on Sunday, 17 Oct. 1915, and died the following day at Sailly-au-Bois; unm. Buried in the military cemetery at Louver-court. His commanding officer spoke highly of him, describing him as most intelligent, a keen soldier, always ready to volunteer for everything, brave as a lion and a splendid shot."

[Transcribed as WELLAR] Private G/5776, 9th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Died of wounds 13 February 1916. Born Maresfield, Sussex, enlisted Eastbourne. Husband of Alice Marian (nee Tapp) Weller, married July-September Quarter 1915 in the Uckfield Registration District. Buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot II. Row D. Grave 43A.

Extract from the Probate Index:

Weller, Frederick George, of 3, South Point Cottages, White Hill, Crowborough, Sussex. Died 13 February 1916 at No 10 CCS France. Administration (with Will) Lewes 7 July to Alice Marian Weller, widow. Effects £101 10s 3d.

Stoker 1st Class SS/111369, H.M.S. ‘Pathfinder’, Royal Navy. Killed or died as a direct result of enemy action 5 September 1914. Aged 28. Born 7 February 1889 in Rotherfield, Sussex. Son of James Wenham, of Rotherfield, Tunbridge Wells, Kent; husband of Eva Wenham, of Rose Cottage, Marden’s Hill, Crowborough, Sussex. No known grave. Commemorated on Chatham Naval Memorial, 6.

H.M.S. ‘Pathfinder’ was torpedoed and sunk by U.21 off East coast of Scotland on 5th September 1914.

Telegraphist C/J 69915, H.M.S. Kelly, Royal Navy. Died in torpedo attack 9 May 1940. No known grave. Commemorated on Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent. Panel 37, Column 1.

H.M.S. ‘Kelly’ was hit by a torpedo on the night of 9 May 1940, which hit a hole in her side right down to the keel. She finally arrived at a repair yard in Tyneside after 91 hours of towing.

Gunner (T), H.M.S. Glowworm, Royal Navy. Lost with his ship 8 April 1940. Aged 30. Son of Clarence Percy and Emma Isabella Hoiles; husband of Ella Hoiles, of Crowborough. Commemorated on Porstmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire. Panel 37, Column 1.

On 8th April 1940, the destroyer H.M.S. ‘Glowworm’ took on the German Heavy Cruiser Admiral von Hipper and her escorts alone. She managed to score hits on the cruiser and rammed the cruiser in a last act of defiance before she sank.

Leading Seaman P/JX 163058, H.M.S. ‘Bluebell’, Royal Navy. Lost with his ship 17 February 1945. Aged 22. Son of Benjamin Hugh and Daisy Martin, of Crowborough, Sussex. No known grave. Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial. Panel 88, column 3.

H.M.S. ‘Bluebell’ was sunk by U711 on 17th February, 1945.

F/Sgt Trevor Herrington Payne RAFVR was the son of James and Alice Herrington Payne, eldest brother of Trevor, Don, Pat, Dennis and Gordon. He was married to Sarah Ellen (Sally) of Gateshead, Co. Durham and they had a son, James who was born on 12th March 1941.

On 26th May 1943 he was promoted to temporary F/Sgt with effect from the 1st May 1943. With F/L Wilson as pilot, he acted as air gunner on 15th July 1943 on an op to bomb the electric power installations at Aquata Scrivia near Genoa, and on 24th July 1943 in Lancaster III EE197, acted as gunner on the bombing of the dock and harbour installations at Leghorn, (Livorno), Italy.

Flight Sergeant Payne was as serving Front Gunner on board Lancaster Mk.III JA898 coded KC-X when it left Coningsby at 23.59 on an op to bomb the Dortmund-Ems Canal near Ladbergen on September 15/16 1943. Eight aircraft escorted by 6 Mosquito’s took off to attack the Dortmund-Ems Canal their objective being to breach and therefore close the canal to traffic in an attempt to deprive the Germans of the considerable supplies that were transported by this route. Thick fog prevented accurate bombing and the flak was intense Lancaster III JA 898 was shot down by light flak whilst in the target area and crashed between Recke and Obersteinbeck, two small towns which border the Mittelland Canal It was one of five aircraft that failed to return from this mission. All of the crew perished in the crash.