Newcastle Daily Chronicle 14/01/1916
Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Francis was born in Gateshead late in 1881. He was the son of John de Camborne Paynter and his wife, Margaret (nee Pattinson) of Alnwick. The couple had 4 children. Francis attended Barnard Castle School.
His birth coincided with the death of his mother also in 1881, whether this was a direct result of his birth or problems afterwards can only be surmised.
The 1891 census shows Francis, aged 9 years, living at Heworth with his grandparents. He came from a well to do family who were connected to the chemical industry.
By 1901 he was still living with his grandparents' family and 2 servants (as well as brother, Reginald) but now at Denewell Avenue. His father, John, a business man and gentleman of means, seemed to have a separate household at Alnwick. It did not appear Francis lived with his father although another brother, John, did.
Francis was a bank clerk at this time.
He married Mabel Mary Davis at Gateshead in 1908.
Francis was commissioned on 27 March 1901 as Second Lieutenant serving with 1st Newcastle Voluntary Artillery. He was later was promoted to Lieutenant 10 October 1903 then on 27 November 1907 to Captain.
He was made Aide de camp to Field Marshall Sir John French on the outbreak of war 5 August 1914.
He was killed in action 10 January 1916 aged 34 years.
5th Battery, 4th Northumbrian Howitzer Brigade Royal Field ArtilleryWar Diary - 10 January 1916
“At noon, whilst going to the aid of a wounded gunner of the 3rd Brigade who was hit whilst passing close to the 5th Battery, Major F P Paynter was struck by a piece of shell and killed instantly. Lieutenant Golding and other N.C.O. s and men were also on the spot standing close together but Major Paynter was the only one hit. He was buried at Railway Dugouts at 9.00pm.
The chaplain present was Canon Crawshall, senior chaplain 50th Division.”
The following letter was received by O.C. Brigade from the O.C. 3rd Brigade :-
“I am writing a line of appreciation from my Officers and Men of the 3rd Durham Battery of the late Major F P Paynter’s splendid self sacrificing gallantry in running to the assistance of one of my men who was mortally wounded. His conduct fills us with admiration, that so gallant an Officer should have been lost in such a way leaves us sad beyond measure.”
The wounded soldier Major Paynter went to assist was 1355 Gunner Charles Alexander Staincliffe 3rd Battery 1/3 (Northumbrian) Brigade R.F.A. who is also buried at Railway Dugouts.
The Newcastle Daily Chronicle 14/01/1916 reports:
"Major F.P. Paynter killed.
Information has been received by Mrs. Paynter, of Low Fell, that her husband, Major Francis Pendarves Paynter, of the Northumbrian Howitzer Battery, has been killed. The deceased, who was connected with Messrs. Barclays Bank prior to the outbreak of the war, was a well-known local golfer, and a member of the Birtley Black Fell Club. Deceased was injured about the head with a piece of shrapnel, whilst he and a private were attempting to rescue a wounded soldier."
Major Paytner left £1729.3.11d in his will to his wife and John Paynter, a captain in Northumberland Fusiliers. Note More personal information about this soldier is available on the Great War Forum website.
Francis Pendarves Paynter is remembered at Alnmouth on A10.12 at Gateshead on G39.004 page 8 and G39.064 at Low Fell on L61.05 at Newcastle on NUT008and NUT049 page 2, at South Shields on S86.104, at Barnard Castle on B135.04 and B135.20
He was also remembered at a Reunion Dinner
