21/03/1916-To 55 Depot as Private
12/04/1916-To 16th Battalion 19th Reinforcements
21/12/1916-Proceeded Overseas 4th Aust Division Base Depot Etaples France ex Folkestone
2/01/1917-Joined 16th Battalion in the Field France
6/02/1917-Wounded in Action France ( Gunshot Wound Left Chest ) ex 12 Aust Field Ambulance ex 45 Casualty Clearing Station
10/02/1917-Admitted 1st Aust General Hospital Rouen France
19/02/1917-To No. 2 Convalescent Depot Rouen
18/03/1917-Rejoined Unit in the Field France ex Hospital ex 4th Aust Division Base Depot Etaples
20/05/1917-Appointed Lance Corporal in the Field France
16/07/1917-Promoted Corporal in the Field France
4/08/1917-Wounded in Action France ( Severe Gunshot Wound Left Leg ) ex 11 Aust Field Ambulance
5/08/1917-Admitted 3rd Stationary Hospital Rouen
14/08/1917-Evacuated/Admitted University War Hospital Southampton
10/09/1917-Granted Leave England
24/09/1917-To No. 1 Command Depot Perham Downs
18/10/1917-To Overseas Training Brigade Longbridge Deverill England
15/11/1917-Proceeded Overseas 4th Aust Division Base Depot Havre France ex Southampton ex Longbridge Deverill
27/11/1917-Rejoined Unit in the Field France ex Hospital ex 4th Aust Division Base Depot France
8/06/1918-Wounded in Action France ( Shell Wound Left Leg ) ex 4 Aust Field Ambulance ex 47 Casualty Clearing Station
18/06/1918-Rejoined Battalion in the Field France ex Wounded
5/09/1918-Awarded MILITARY MEDAL
19/09/1918-Awarded BAR to the MILITARY MEDAL
5/10/1918-Promoted Lance Sergeant in the Field France
17/11/1918-Granted Leave England
8/12/1918-Rejoined Unit in the Field France ex Leave
14/01/1919-Promoted Sergeant in the Field France
4/04/1919-To No. 4 Group England ex Aust Division Base Depot France for Return to Australia
1/06/1919-Embarked England for Australia per “Somali”
8/07/1919-Disembarked Australia
22/08/1919-Discharged from Service
SERVICE MEDALS AWARDED
British War Medal- N0. 13100
Victory Medal – No. 12903
Military Medal & Bar.
( 1 )- MILITARY MEDAL
Date of Recommendation: 15 August 1918
” During the operations on the morning of the 8th August 1918 , between MORCOURT and MERICOURT-SUR-SOMME , this non-commissioned officer did excellent work and behaved most gallantly. He led his men in the advance and was always to the fore when danger was to be faced. On two occasions when there was a pause in the advance he bandaged up wounded men and carried them to places of safety, despite heavy Machine Gun fire continuing at the time. Later, when the most forward line had been established he went forward in charge of a patrol; he and his party were outflanked and cut off ; he turned and fought the enemy party who were greatly superior in numbers, and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. His gallant conduct on this occasion was in keeping with his very fine behaviour throughout the whole operations, and he is strongly recommended for distinction “.
Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 23 May 1919
Location in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Page 899, Position 24
Date of London Gazette: 24 January 1919
Location in London Gazette: Page 1253, Position 39
( 2 )- BAR TO MILITARY MEDAL
Date of Recommendation ; 27 August 1918
” This Non- Commissioned Officer is brought to notice for his great gallantry during operations in front of MADAME WOOD , west of VERMANDOVILLERS on the morning of the 23rd August , 1918. At one point the Company to which he belongs was held up by the fire from an enemy Machine Gun. Taking a few men with him, he bombed his way along a shallow trench to a place from which it was possible to fire rifle grenades on the enemy post. After firing some grenades he rushed the post, killed some of the garrison and captured the remainder ( 12 ) also the Machine Gun. For his great gallantry on this occasion , and for his fine initiative in dealing with a very difficult situation he is strongly recommended for distinction “.
Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 23 July 1919
Location in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Page 1167, Position 11
Date of London Gazette: 29 March 1919
Location in London Gazette: Page 4123, Position 6
DEATH/BURIAL
Date of Death – 26/06/1974 – Aged ( 76 years )
Burial – Capel Cemetery WA – Section AB10 – Grave No. 119.
AUTHOR NOTE ( 1 )
Sincere thanks to Jen THOMSON for advising Death/Burial details in her work ” Capel Connections “, February 2018.
AUTHOR NOTE ( 2 )-
George PAYNE was acting as Runner for Major Percy Charles Herbert BLACK DSO, DCM, FRENCH CROIX dE GUERRE, during the Battle of Bullecourt, France, on 11 April, 1917, when BLACK was killed.
Charles BEAN described BLACK as ” the greatest fighting soldier in the AIF” and stated he was of splendid physique, quiet and unassuming in manner and “a born leader of men and a natural Soldier”, and his courage was a byword.
The incredibly brave feats of George PAYNE and character references of BEAN could well have been used in recognition of the service of George PAYNE “.