I would be interested to know if anybody could help me. I recently came across a newspaper article whilst researching material for a book. Firstly apologies if the following story is a little complex - but here goes. Alfred Hubert Payne (366401 Sergeant (OBS)) - RAF 53 Squadron. A body was washed up on the Essex coast on 27th May 1940 - the body was identified by the name on his shirt. His body was buried in the graveyard in Quorn, Leicestershire in the family grave. In 1947, the war office wrote to his mother and explained that there had been a mistake - and that according to German Military Records, his body had been discovered in Northern France and was in fact buried at Lille. (obviously they had been able to identify the body properly). In due course - a headstone was placed in the Quorn cemetrey in honour of the unknown airman whose body lay in the Payne family grave. I know this is a long shot - and I would guess, impossible, to learn the true identity of the body, any ideas as to whom I should write? Once again - apologies for the complexity of this post Thanks
Welcome Mike, Quorn's very local for me, interesting story. Geoff's search engine turns up comparatively few Paynes before may 1940: 001 PAYNE, GT D/J 30186 17/09/1939 002 PAYNE, AAG 5667668 18/09/1939 003 PAYNE, R 5334923 26/05/1940 004 PAYNE, HA - 25/04/1940 - Reversed initials? 005 PAYNE, GL 346032 22/05/1940 006 PAYNE, MJ - 12/04/1940 007 PAYNE, DL 33463 08/01/1940 008 PAYNE, PL P/K 59414 21/01/1940 009 PAYNE, ARC P/K 61291 04/03/1940 010 PAYNE, WHE 6847297 25/05/1940 - 26/05/1940 011 PAYNE, T 3523033 13/05/1940 012 PAYNE, EC D/KX 81183 10/04/1940 013 PAYNE, AA 787601 20/05/1940 014 PAYNE, L 5952123 21/05/1940 015 PAYNE, AG 815477 08/02/1940 016 PAYNE, FS 6092277 23/05/1940 017 PAYNE, AH 366401 27/05/1940 - The 'correct' Payne. 018 PAYNE, N 806634 06/04/1940 Using those that might have been wearing a fliers uniform, and possibly the initial 'A' may narrow things a lot more. Long shot, but that might help your search. I imagine it might also be worth looking at other losses from the actual Payne's squadron before may 1940 too, who may perhaps have borrowed a shirt, or have no known resting place. Though I'm sure this has occurred to you already. Hopefully one of the 'aviationists' on here might have some better suggestions to offer. Good luck, Adam.
Hi Mike, welcome to the forum. I've come up with the following info on Payne's loss. 27 May 1940. 53 squadron. Blenheim IV R3735 The aircraft failed to return from a reconnaissance sortie to St. Omer. Shot down near there. P/O. P. Villiers-Tuthill. Sgt A. Payne, and AC. D. Mearns KIA. (The 53 Squadron ORB gives the aircraft serial number as L8735) 'The Bristol Blenheim a Complete History' - Graham Warner. At the time of this loss, 53 Squadron were operating out of Andover. No solution to the mystery but it might give a lead. Regards Peter.
Thanks all for the help - at least I have a little more information to go on. As a matter of interest, the headstone in memory of 'The Unknown Airman' was not placed in the graveyard until 1980 - the pilot's mother died a few years before and despite the War Office advising her of the error, she believed that it was her son buried in the family grave.
With regard to officer's uniforms - does anybody know if they had their initials or full names sewn on? Strange request I know - but might help all the same. Thanks again
