Payne, Albert Edward

2427 Private Albert Edward Payne - 28th Battalion AIF

Albert Edward Payne was born in North Fremantle WA on the 10th January 1893 to Robert and Margaret Payne. He was one of five children, with Arthur (1888), Herbert (1890), Margaret (1896) and James (1897). The family lived at Frederick Street North Fremantle.

Albert was educated at North Fremantle Primary School.

Albert was a good sportsman and played football for the North Fremantle Football Club. In 1912 he was part of the North Fremantle Football team that won the WA Amateur Football League premiership.

Prior to the Great War, Albert was living in North Fremantle and was working as a barman.

Albert tried to enlist early in the war but was rejected due to his teeth. However he went away and got them fixed and on the 28th July 1915 enlisted again and was this time successful.

The medical examiner recorded Alberts physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 8 & 1/2 inches tall;

Weight - 126lbs;

Chest Measurement - 32-34 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Blue;

Hair - Light Brown;

Distinctive marks - Tattoo on right forearm of lady's head, heart and word mother.

After his successful enlistment, Albert was sent to No.1 Depot battalion at Blackboy Hill Camp. Albert was taken through the basics of infantry training at this camp.

On the 16th September 1915 Albert was transferred into the 5th Reinforcements to the 28th Battalion AIF. He trained with this group in WA until their embarkation orders arrived.

On the 13th October 1915 Albert and his group boarded the transport ship HMAT Themistocles in Fremantle Harbour and set sail for Egypt, arriving at Suez in early November 1915.

Albert and his group were sent into the AIF reinforcement camp in Egypt. As the 28th Battalion were currently at Gallipoli, and plans were underway to evacuate that battlefield, Albert and his group were retained in Egypt.

The 28th Battalion returned to Egypt in January 1916 and Albert was taken on strength of the unit on the 22nd January 1916. He trained with this group in Egypt for the next two months but on the 16th March 1916 they left for France, arriving at Marseilles on the 21st March 1916.

After their arrival they were entrained north, eventually arriving in the Armentieres region. On the 25th March 1916 Albert got into trouble for missing a Battalion parade at Morbecque and as a punishment had to do 2 days of Field Punishment No.2.

The Battalion was soon in the line, having their first experience of trench warfare. On the 3rd April 1916 Albert was sent to the 7th Field Ambulance with ear trouble, being diagnosed with otitis media. He was sent to the 26th General Hospital at Etaples, returning to his unit in late May 1916. He had only been back a few days when he was wounded in the hand by shrapnel. He returned after two days at a medical station but a few weeks later he developed a septic hand and was kept under medical attention for a week.

Albert returned to duty on the 25th June 1916. He subsequently fought in the Battle of the Somme in July and August 1916, taking part in the Battalion's two attacks on July 29th and August 4th. He came through both unscathed despite heavy casualties in the 28th Battalion.

On the 30th August 1916 Albert was sent to hospital ill as he was suffering badly with influenza. He would be out of the line for quite a few months, spending time in hospitals in Rouen and Etaples.

On the 4th February 1917 Albert rejoined the 28th Battalion. He remained with the unit for the next few months, seeing action at Lagnicourt in March 1917 and Bullecourt in May 1917. Albert came through both battles safely, though on the 31st May 1917 he was sent to hospital and was diagnosed as suffering from trench fever. He was only away from the 28th Battalion for a few weeks, returning o the 24th June 1917.

The 28th Battalion were then on a three month break from the front line, spending much time on training. On the 15th August 1917 Albert once again fell ill and was diagnosed with venereal disease. This kept him in hospital for the next few months, eventually rejoining the 28th Battalion on the 21st November 1917.

On the 8th December 1917 he was granted English leave, returning to France on the 6th January 1918. The 28th Battalion were in Belgium from January to March 1918, helping to hold the line between Messines and Ypres.

As a result of the German offensive of March 21st 1918 which broke through the British line further south, the Australian divisions were sent to the Somme region to help stop this German advance.

The 28th Battalion came to the area near Ville sur Ancre and Morlancourt, where they remained for the next few months. On June 10th 1918 the 28th Battalion were in action at Morlancourt and Albert was shot through the arm. He was evacuated to the 5th Field Ambulance where his wound was initially treated and from there to the 61st Casualty Clearing Station.

Albert was then transferred to the 32nd Stationary Hospital at Wimereux. He was there for a few days only and was then transferred to England where he was admitted to Tooting Military Hospital. Unfortunately despite the medical attention Albert's arm could not be saved and it had to be amputated. He was at Tooting Military Hospital for a month and was then transferred to the 2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Southall.

Despite the amputation Albert recovered quite quickly and he was given a period of furlough from the 23rd July to 6th August 1918. He reported back two days late and was fined two days pay as a result. Albert spent the next few weeks at No.2 Command Depot Camp at Weymouth while he waited to be assigned a berth on a ship home.

On the 28th September 1918 Albert boarded the transport ship Runic and set sail for home, disembarking in Fremantle on the 7th November 1918. Albert was then sent to No.8 Australian General Hospital for a medical check on his amputation and was discharged from the AIF on the 10th December 1918.

Despite the loss of an arm, on the 7th January 1919, Albert enlisted again for home service and was kept on duty in the 5th Military District until the 15th February 1920.

In North Fremantle in 1919 Albert married Florence Powell. They had a son Robert Mathias Morlancourt Payne born in 1920 followed by Arthur in 1921, Henry in 1923, Gilbert in 1930 and Ross 1932.

In 1930 the family were living at 16 Douglas Street South Fremantle (later renamed 2 Douglas). They lived there for the next thirty years.

Albert died on the 18th December 1979 in Melville aged 86. He was cremated at Fremantle Cemetery.