Current Information:

Born-Bethnal Green

Strand Military Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Belgium

For the first three months of 1915, the 1st Rifle Brigade battalion of 11 Brigade, 4th Division were holding the line in Ploegsteert Wood, alternating between periods spent in the front line and time in reserve in billets from where they provided working parties for various tasks. Because of flooding here, the trenches were shallow, protected by breastworks of sand bags and the battalion spent much of their time trying to improve the defences as well as having to contend with shell and sniper fire. Records, including those of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission show that  John Payne was killed on 24th March but on this date the battalion was undergoing training in Armentières so it is likely that the date of his death was incorrectly recorded.