Private G3461 Edmund Payne Jr MM 1895 - 1917

On 4th August 1914 Britain declared war on Germany, the British Army consisted of approx 205,000 soldiers.  in an unexpected reaction to the outbreak of war, 478,893 men joined the services from 5th Aug-12th Sept 1914, including 33,204 on September 3rd alone.

On initially signing up, most 1914 volunteers were sent home to await the mobilisation telegram which could take up to a month to arrive.  The telegram instructed the individual to attend a Regimental depot or centre to conduct medicals and be attested into the Army.  Once this was completed some individuals were sent direct to their training Regiments or were sent home to await mobilization.

Altogether, from 1914-1918 the United Kingdom mobilised approx 6 million men of these 702,917 were killed and 1,663,435 were wounded (this figure includes individuals who were wounded numerous times).

A mortality rate of 12% and a total casualty rate of 40%.

This is the story of just one of those soldiers - The son of Edmund Payne - Edmund Payne Junior

Part One:  Regimental Organisation (OrBat) 1914-1918 - Please click here to open

Part Two: Attestation and Posting - Please click here to open

Part Three: Edmund Payne Awards - Please click here to open

Part Four:  Edmund's last days - Please click here to open

Part Five:  Internment & Battlefield Burials - Please click here to open

Part Six:  Château Rosendal - Bedford House - Please click here to open

Part Seven:  Photos of Zillebeke and Sanctuary Woods - Please click here to open

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Special thanks to Steve Healey for his hard work in putting together this tribute to Private Edmund Payne