Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of  Edward and Helen PAINE, 78 Station Road, Auburn, New South Wales

CORPORAL WALTER D. PAINE.
At the end of last week word came through that Corporal Walter Douglas Paine, one of the four members of the 'Fighting Paine family,' was killed in action in France between the 22nd and 25th July. He was a single man and lived with his parents in Station- road, Auburn. As a lad he went to the Auburn Public School, and left to go into the employment of Messrs. E. Webber and Co.,  where he remained until he enlisted for the front. Mr Webber thought a great deal of him, and when going away he told him that  his billet would be kept open for him until he returned. He was given a fine send-off by his fellow employees, on behalf of whom  Mr. Webber presented him with a gold wristlet watch. The late soldier had the reputation of being a steady, upright, good living, young man, and was hold in high regard by all who know him. Great sympathy is felt on all sides with the bereaved parents. He  left home for the front in August last year and was attached to the 1st Battalion. He went to Egypt and then to Gallipoli, where  he was in the firing line during the few remaining months of that campaign. From there he went back to Egypt, and then on to France. The last letter received from him by his parents is dated 5th July, and he had then been in the firing line some time. Prior  to enlisting he took part in one or two dramatic pieces presented at the Auburn Town Hall by Mr. Norman Kennerdale's  Dramatic Company, and was for a good while a regular attendant at St. Philip's Church. 

How Corp. Paine Died.
An Auburn Hero.
Mrs. Paine, of Auburn, has received the following letter: — 
'3rd London General Hospital,
''Wandsworth, Aug. 13th, 1916.
'Dear Mrs. Paine, — As officer commanding the platoon of which yourfson was a member, it falls to me to write and let you know what I can of him, and of the way in which ho met his death, of which I expect you will already have had official notice. On the night of the 22nd, after three days in the support trenches near Pozieres, we started down to the front line preparatory to  making the charge. On the way your son was hit in the hand by a piece of shrapnel, so that he was unable to use either his rifle or bayonet, but that did not deter him. I asked him if he could boss his show, and ho said he could, and kept on. Our  bombardment started at 12.28, and shortly after the half-hour we wont over, our job being to go across the German, first line and take the second, the distance in all being about 460 yards. The N.C.O.'s and men were simply splendid, each carrying but  his job as if he were on a parade ground, while, as a matter of fact, the place was an inferno of bursting, shells and flylng bullets, the intensity of the fire being greater than anything known of the British front before the 'big push' began, Doug, must have been hit again. Just as he got to the second line, I know, that he was shot through the head and killed instantaneously. I did not see him as I was myself disabled just beforehand, having my leg broken by a shell, so that it was not until yesterday that I was brought news by a friend of your son's of his death. Needless to say, I was very much grieved, as I had always considered Cpl. Paine as one of the best of my friends.  
You may well be filled with more pride than sorrow at the way in which he met his death. As an N.C.O. I never knew one who was so popular with his men, fellow N.C.O.'s, and his officers, at the same time carrying out his Job in a way which left little if anything to be desired. As a man, he had the respect of all his colleagues, and those of them who are left will miss him and grieve for him as much as, I do.
I will not write any more, Mrs. Paine, as I know that It would only be tedious to you, but I hope I may send you with this letter  my sincere and heartfelt sympathy in your trouble. — I am, yours very sincerely, . .
KENNETH H. McCONNEL,
2nd Lieut, D Coy., 1st Batt.
P.S. — I wrote recommending your son to my company commander for his gallant act, and hope that if any posthumous honors  are given that your son's name may be on the list.'