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Payne, Glyn Evan

5646 Sergeant Glyn Evan Payne - 28th Battalion AIF

Glyn Evan Payne was born in North Fremantle WA on the 1890 to Phillip and Mary Payne. Glyn was one of twelve children born into the family; Phillip (1874 & d/1874), Mary (1875), Alice (1877), Phillip (1880), Vivian (1882), Bertram (1885), Mabel (1887), Ruby (1893), Ivy (1895), Mervyn (1897) and Walter (1900).

Glyn grew up in North Fremantle and attended North Fremantle Primary School. The family lived in Victoria Avenue North Fremantle and after leaving school Glyn took up employment with the North Fremantle Municipal Council as a Clerk.

In 1914 in North Fremantle Glyn married Edith Robson and a son Glyn was born in 1915.

On the 6th March 1916 Glyn enlisted into the Australian imperial Force in North Fremantle. He was accepted as fit for service with the medical examiner recording Glyn's physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 9 inches tall;

Weight - 140lbs;

Chest Measurement - 33-35 inches;

Complexion - Fair;

Eyes - Blue;

Hair - Brown.

After his successful enlistment Glyn was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was put into No.61 Training Depot. He was taken through the basics of infantry work at this camp.

On the 1st May 1916 he was transferred to the 15th Reinforcements to the 28th Battalion. Glyn spent the next five months training with this reinforcement group in WA.

His brother Bertram died after a long illness in North Fremantle on the 30th June 1916. As Glyn had not yet departed overseas, he was able to attend his brothers funeral.

On the 22nd September 1916 Glyn and his group were sent to Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship HMAT Surada and set sail for England, disembarking at Plymouth on the 20th November 1916.

After being disembarked Glyn was sent to the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone Camp on the Salisbury Plains.

Glyn wasn't in England for long as on the 13th December 1916 he made his way to France. He had a few days at the 2nd Australian Division Base Depot Camp at Etaples but was taken on strength of the 28th Battalion on the 18th December 1916.

The 28th Battalion were then situated on the Somme Battlefield near Flers. They would be in this sector till March 1917. The Germans then began a strategic withdrawal to their pre-prepared defensive position known as the Hindenburg Line. The Australian and British units pressed the Germans and several sharp battles were fought around French villages in front of the Hindenburg Line.

The 28th Battalion fought one such action at Lagnicourt on March 26th 1917 but Glyn came through safely. His brother Merv was killed at Bullecourt on April 11th 1917 with the 16th Battalion.

The next major action for the 28th Battalion took place in early May 1917 when they were in the action at Bullecourt. Though there was much hand to hand fighting with the Germans in the trenches, Glyn came through safely.

After the Bullecourt action, the 28th Battalion was given a three month rest period out of the front line so much training and sporting activities would be taking place.

In August 1917, due to his high standard of clerical abilities, Glyn was transferred to the 2nd Division Headquarters. He would remained with the 2nd Division HQ for the remainder of the war.

On the 9th September 1918 he was granted a fortnight's leave to England. After his return Glyn was promoted to Corporal and in November the Armistice was signed.

After the German surrender, the 2nd Australian Division headed for Charleroi. This Belgian City had been under German occupation since 1914, so the Occupants were very happy to see the Australians come in. There is still a special bond between Charleroi and Australia to this day.

The 2nd Australian Division would stay in Belgium until the Australian units were dissolved in May 1919. In March 1919 Glyn had been promoted to Temporary Staff Sergeant. Glyn left Belgium on the 23rd April 1919. He then returned to England and was sent to an AIF camp to await being assigned a berth on a troopship home.

On the 1st June 1919 Glyn boarded the transport ship SS Somali and set sail for home, reaching Fremantle on the 8th July 1919.

Sadly, not long after his return, Glyn's Brother Vivian Payne died of influenza in Fremantle on the 7th August 1919.

Glyn was discharged from the AIF on the 15th August 1919. He then resumed his clerking role with the North Fremantle Municipal Council.

A son Kenneth was born in North Fremantle in 1920.

Through the 1920's Glyn and the family were living at 52 Thompson Road North Fremantle.

In 1929 his father, Phillip died on the 5th June 1929 at Dalwallinu. The Sunday times 30th June 1929 edition published an obituary of Philip Payne;

THE LATE MR. PHILIP PAYNE

A Link With North Fremantle

The recent death of Ex-Cr. Philip Payne at the ripe age of 79 years removed another old pioneer who was associated with Fremantle, and more particularly North Fremantle, in the early days. Born at Merthyr Tydvii (Souh Wales) in 1850, when twelve years of age he landed at Fremantle with his parents, after a voyage lasting over six months, in the sailing ship Mary Harrison. Staying only a few days at Fremantle the Payne family proceeded to Northampton, where with his father and brothers Mr. Phillip Payne was employed on the Wheal Ellen and other lead mines under the late Capt Sam Mitchell. When 24 years old, Philip married Mary, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas, of Balline Station, and when their eldest daughter was 11 months old - returned to Fremantle and settled on the lower Canning. Some eight years later he bought land in North Fremantle, made a home there, established a carrying business, and became a familiar figure at the Port. He was a deeply religious man and was associated with the Rev. Mr. Johnston, the first Congregational Minister at Fremantle. As a result of his advocacy, the Congregational Church in Swan-street North Fremantle, was erected. For twelve years he was superintendent of the Sunday School, and one of his most valued possessions was an Illuminated address presented to him on his retirement from 'office. He was deeply interested in the move that resulted in North Fremantle being declared a municipality and was elected to the first council. Attracted by the simple teachings of the Salvation Army he donated a block of land

upon which the first Salvation Army Barracks were erected in North Fremantle, in which he and the late P. K. Congdon, who was mayor, each laid foundation blocks. With advancing years he lived, in retirement and finally passed away at the residence of his son in law, Mr. A. Counsel, of Buntine, and was buried at Dalwallinu on his 79th birthday. He leaves a widow, six sons, four daughters, thirty grandchildren and six great grand children.

After his father's death Glyn moved in 1930 to Buntine. He found work locally as he was part owner of an accountancy and agency business.

Buntine is in the shire of Dalwallinu, approximately 300 kilometers north of Perth.

Glyn remained at Buntine for the next twenty years.

In 1942 his mother Mary died on the 15th June 1942 in Mt Lawley.

Glyn Payne died on the 5th February 1952 in Perth. The North Eastern Courier 14th February 1952 edition published an obituary of Glyn;

Funeral Of Mr.

G. Payne, Snr.

The passing of Mr. Glyn Evan Payne on Tuesday removed from Buntine one of its most colorful, personalities. As Postmaster he was known far and wide in the district and was affectionately referred to as "Pop" Payne.

His death coming suddenly after a short illness was a great shock to all and many will mourn his going as a loss of a personal friend. To his bereaved family, and to his widow in particular, who is in England, we extend our heartfelt sympathy.
The late Mr. Payne died at the age of 62. As a young man he was interested in local government and became Town Clerk of Fremantle, being one of the youngest men to hold this office. Nearly a quarter of a century ago he left municipal affairs for the bush, where, settling in Buntine Mr. Payne established a business and he took on the duties of running an unofficial post office.
Mr. Payne soon interested himself in anything that would help the growing district. He was the first secretary of the Progress Association and also allied himself with other similar organisations and sporting bodies. To all these efforts he gave unremitting service and his skill in clerical work made him a very valued officer. In recent years he suffered

from many minor ailments which precluded him from carrying out the service which he had previously given willingly to the community.
"Pop" had allied himself with the Buntine district to such an extent that he was loath to leave it even for a short holiday. He was a friend to all and even at times if his exterior suggested otherwise, underneath he was
kind, sympathetic and loyal. Buntine is the poorer for his passing.
The late Mr. Payne was a returned soldier from the First World War; he was also a member or Western Gate Lodge WAO. He Is survived by his widow, two sons and 4 grandchildren. A large crowd attended the funeral.
The funeral of Mr. Glyn Evan Payne, of Buntine. who died at Royal Perth Hospital on February 5 after a very serious illness, took place at the Karrakatta Cemetery on February 6 in the afternoon. A good number of residents from Buntine and surrounding district attended. The casket was draped "with the Union Jack and many beautiful floral tributes were placed on the grave. In addition to a long line of cars which formed the

cortege, there was a good number of people awaiting to, receive the procession at the cemetery gates. The pall-bearers were Messrs. W. J, West, M Kenney, J. R. Flynn, J. Shaw, T. Barker, A. T. Burgess, E. Monk and M. Condon. The chief mourners were his sons Glyn and Ken with

their wives, sisters and brothers-in-Iaw.

Glyn Payne was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery.