Capt LA Payne MC, RFC/RAF

[mcwirsk]

Hello Guys

I have found the medals and death plaque to Capt Leonard Allen Payne. I will post the picture of him etc on the site to be included in his profile under "Aces". He won the MC in 1917 (I think), and was killed in a flying acident while flying a captured German aircraft under a bridge.

Does anyone have his MC citation and any details of his death. He shot down 11 planes and I think thats pretty good.

Lastly, he was born in Swaziland, don't you think he should be listed under the South African aces???

Kind regards from sunny South Africa

[Graeme]

McWirsk

Payne's MC citation appeared in the London Gazette of 26 July 1918 -

"Volunteering to proceed on a special reconnaissance under adverse weather conditions, he penetrated for a distance of nine miles behind the enemy’s lines, flying at an altitude, of 200 feet, despite the most intense machine-gun and rifle fire. He returned later, his machine riddled with bullets, with the required information. Previous to this he had bombed and engaged with machine-gun fire bodies of hostile infantry with the most effective results. He has destroyed one hostile plane and driven down two others out of control. He has at all times displayed the greatest fearlessness and dash."

Nothing on his crash, I'm afraid.

Graeme

not-so-sunny Kent (south-east England)

[Frank_Olynyk]

McWirsk,
Payne was killed on Feb 18, 1919 according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. He is listed as being with 48 Sqn, and he is buried in COLOGNE SOUTHERN CEMETERY Koln(Cologne), Nordrhein-Westfal, Germany. He was born July 15, 1894, although I do not know where (that's probably from Air 76). No details on his death, but since he is buried in Koln it undoubtedly occured in Germany.

Any idea where in Swaziland he was born (and what it was called at the time?). And what is your source for his place of birth?

I don't suppose you found his flight log? The serial of his aircraft is missing from several of his claims in Above the Front.

Frank.

[mcwirsk]

Dear Guys

Thanks for the citation. Currently I have some nice studio pictures of him as a 2/Lt and also some squadron pictures, I assume 48 sqd. Today I am getting a pile of paperwork. Lets see whats in that. This all comes from the family and whe we first started talking I recall they were talking about his log books, so I hope those are still around.

I think he only worked in Swaziland before he joined up and really comes from South Africa (born and breed). He could have been one of Millers boys. I will get all the details.

I will post what I get tonight.

Kind regards

Munroe

[mcwirsk]

Dear Guys

I got a pile of documents today. It appears that he is 100% South African and was one of Major Millers 100 boys. He was only working in Swaziland.

So in fact the list must be changed and he should be added to the list of South African Aces.

I will go through all the docs and post whats in them shortly.

He was also MID'ed in 1919 (after he was dead)

Strange that a guy who shots down 11 planes only gets a single MC and MID.

Kind regards

Munroe

[Graeme]

Munroe,

Of the 11 (four "destroyed" and 7 Out of Control) victories claimed by Payne and his Observers, only three appear in the RFC/RAF Communques.

His name appears in a continuation of Sir Douglas Haig's despatch of 16 March 1919, published in the London Gazette dated 1 July 1919 (Gazette number 31448, page 8841) - Payne, Lt (A./Capt.) L. A., M.C., 48th Sqdn., 2nd Bde.

Until 1943, a condition precedent to the award of the Distinguished Service Order was that the officer should have been mentioned in despatches; it might well be that Payne was being considered for the DSO but his death stopped proceedings.

Graeme

[mcwirsk]

here is a picture of Capt LA Payne MC. (it can be added to his ace profile)

[mcwirsk]

picture of 48 sqdn in in ww1.