PAYNE, Kenneth Willie
| Service Number: | 2545 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 September 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Gunner |
| Last Unit: | Royal Flying Corps |
| Born: | Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Station hand |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Sep 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Gunner, 2545, Divisional Ammunition Column | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Oct 1914: | Involvement Gunner, 2545, Divisional Ammunition Column, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '22' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Argyllshire embarkation_ship_number: A8 public_note: '' | |
| 18 Oct 1914: | Embarked Gunner, 2545, Divisional Ammunition Column, HMAT Argyllshire, Sydney | |
| 16 Mar 1917: | Discharged AIF WW1, Gunner, 2545, Divisional Ammunition Column, Discharged to the Royal Flying Corps with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant | |
| 17 Mar 1917: | Involvement Royal Flying Corps |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Lieutenant Kenneth Willie Payne M.C. also won a Military Cross after being commissioned into the RFC. He served with 83 Squadron flying F.E.2ds in a night bombing role.
His citation states, “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer has shown great skill in carrying out night bombing raids on back areas under adverse weather conditions. On one occasion observing a train in motion 50 miles behind the enemy lines, he descended to within about 800 ft. of the ground and dropped a bomb, obtaining a direct hit; he then dropped three bombs on a brilliantly lighted building with good effect. After this he returned to the train, which his observer attacked with machine-gun fire. On another occasion, when on a bombing raid, his machine caught fire, but with great coolness he brought it safely to earth. He has taken part in over thirty raids, always showing great determination in reaching his objectives.”
Payne had left Australia in October 1914 with the Divisional Ammunition Column of the first contingent of the AIF.
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