William J Payne | ParaData

William John Payne was born in 1920 and came from Orsett in Essex.

He enlisted in June 1940, at Romford in Essex, joining the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Private Payne transferred to the Royal and Electrical Mechanical Engineering Corps (REME) in June 1941.

He volunteered for airborne force and in October 1942 was posted to 1st Airborne Division Workshops REME.

In May 1943 he went to North Africa and also served in Italy.

The London Gazette published that he was Mention in Despatches on 24 August 1944.

In August 1944 Staff Sergeant Payne went as part of the seatail to Operation Market Garden. He returned to England on 3 October 1944.

He then went with the 1st Airborne Division Workshops REME. On Operation Doomsday to Norway in May 1945. Staff Sergeant Payne was demobbed in June 1946.

By Wendy George

Date not known
1st (Airborne) Division Workshops REME (Staff Sergeant)

Operations

Event

Arnhem (Operation Market Garden)

1st Allied Airborne Corps, which included the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, was tasked to secure the main canal and river crossings between Eindhoven and Arnhem.

Event

Italy

The Italians had capitulated while the force was still at sea. The sinking of HMS Abdiel by a mine in the harbour, however, resulted in the loss of 130 soldiers from 6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalion including their Commanding Officer.

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North Africa (Operation Torch)

On 12 November the 3rd Parachute Battalion (3 Para Bn) jumped onto and seized the vital airfield at Bone between Algiers and Tunis, arriving barely before German paratroopers deployed for the same mission.

Event

Norway (Operation Doomsday)

Maj Gen Urquhart received his orders in the midst of a Division reorganization.

Decorations

Group photos_1

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1st Airborne Division Workshops, R.E.M.E. Warrant officers and Senior Ranks, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, July 1944.

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Letters and Cards_1

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Mentioned in Despatches letter for Staff Sergeant Payne.

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Staff Sergeant William J Payne

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04 Dec 1998

Service History