Cpl Nathan Payne, 3457, 1/5th Bedfords, was killed in action at Gallipoli on August 15th, 1915 - one the same day that an older brother, L-Sgt Albert Payne, aged 27, also died.

On September 8th, his mother, Mrs Ellen Payne, received a letter from the Territorial Records Office, Warley, notifying that her son was "missing, believed killed" in the Dardanelles. There was also a second similar letter relating to L-Sgt Payne.

Cpl Payne was 21, single, and had been in the "Terriers" since before the war. He had worked for Mr George Powdrill, the contractor.

His last letter home read: "My dear mother - just a line to let you know I am all right, and Albert is the same. I hope you are all well at home and are not worrying about us, as it will do no good. We are on land now, and it is a change from life on the sea. We had a nice calm voyage, and enjoyed it all right. It is very hot where we are, I can tell you.

"How are the girls getting on? Have they had a good holiday? Please write and let me know. Tell me if you have received any postcards or letters from me. With heaps of love and kisses to my darling mother and sisters. From you loving son."

In January, eldest son Harry Gray (Payne), Royal Garrison Artillery, received a military funeral in Luton after dying in a hospital at Edinburgh from wounds sustained at the Front in October 1914.

A fourth son, Pte Walter Payne, aged 17, was stationed at Newmarket with the 1/5th Bedfords. He had volunteered for foreign service, but after to his mother appealed to Queen Mary he was transferred to a Home Service unit (3/5th Bedfords serving at Lowestoft).