Photo : Scott and Wilkinson

Shields Gazette

Cambridge University ROH entry page 106

1911 2nd Row 6th from the right Photo ; as above

Photo : Stearn and Co now Lafayaette Payne coxing

James junior, was born 7th January 1893, the eldest son of eight children at 32 Oxford Avenue, South Shields, to James William, a house builder, [born in 1869, North Shields, son of James, born 1840 and Sarah Payne, born 1846], and Frances Mary Payne, [born 4th November 1871, Sunderland], they were married in 1892. In 1939, Frances was residing at 70 Sunderland Road, South Shields, Durham, with her daughter Gladys and her youngest son Cyril, she was incapacitated and widowed by this time.

Incidentally, the father James William Payne was boarding at 94 Alfred Street, South Shields in 1891, prior to this he was residing at 15 North Street in 1881.

The children were called Norman, born 1895, married Millicent D, Williams in 1924, Frederick Charles, born October 1895, [also enlisted in WW1, to the Royal Army Medical Corps], Herbert, born 1899, but died after 1901, Ernest, born October 1900, [married Evelyn M Small, in 1925], Joseph, born 1903, [married Josephine E Lander in 1931], Gladys, born 20th October 1904, [and in 1939 was residing at 70 Sunderland Road, South Shields, Durham, single and was a school teacher], and Cyril born 31st August 1906, in 1939 he was a Public Works & Civil Engineer Account & Estimating Clerk residing at 70 Sunderland Road, South Shields, Durham, England. He was also a part time A.R.P.

In 1901 they were living at 32 Oxford Avenue South Shields.

By 1911 all the family were residing at 'Lebanon House', Sunderland Road, South Shields.

James junior was educated at the Mortimer Road Council Juniors school in South Shields from 1901. Then from 1905 till 1911, James attended Westoe Secondary School ending his time there as a pupil-teacher. He then went to Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He was admitted 9th October 1911.

James was also a musical pupil of Mr Robert Reah (late Vice Chairman of the Education Committee), to whom he acted as an assistant organist at the U. M. F. Church, Queen Street.

In June 1914 he obtained his B.A. degree in the Mathematical Tripos [Honours] and was a trial blue of the University. In the previous year he was one of eight sent to represent his college at Henley Regatta and rowed for the Thames Plate. He coxed the 1st Lent and May Boats and resided at 24 Victoria Street in 1913.

On this occasion Lady Scott, the wife of the late Captain Scott of Antarctica fame, placed her house at the disposal of the crew during the whole period of training. The many relics of the great Antarctic explorer were a source of great interest to them all, and to none more than James.

Before joining the army he was mathematical assistant master and musical conductor at the Cowbridge Grammar School, South Wales. Here he was held in high esteem by the students and members of staff. When he left them to take up his commission he carried away from them many valuable presents as tokens of their good wishes.

"Cadet James William Payne, from the Durham University Contingent, Senior Division, Officers Training Corps, to be 2nd Lieutenant [on probation]. 29th January 1916". Source London Gazette 28th January 1916, page 1141.

He was confirmed with the rank 2nd Lieutenant on the 14th December 1916 by the War Office into the Durham Light Infantry.

Thanks to : Emmanuel College, Cambridge Archives

He was with the 1/6th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry when he was killed in action at the age of 25.

He is remembered at Harton on H104.03, at South Shields on S86.027, S86.039, in S86.086 page 11, S86.109 and in Durham in the DLI Remembrance Book page 84

He is also remembered at the Emmanuel College Cambridge War Memorial

Emmanuel College Cambridge.
South Shields Grammar School
The CWGC entry for 2nd Lieutenant Payne