Pte Joseph Payne, 18510, 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, died on July 16th, 1916, from wounds sustained on the Somme ten days previously.

He was the son of Mrs E. Payne, of 15 Inkerman Street, Luton. He was aged 24 and prior to enlistment was employed at the Gelatine Works in New Bedford Road, Luton.

Pte Payne joined the Army shortly after war broke out and trained at Ampthill, from where he was drafted to his battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment. He had been in France nearly 12 months when wounded on July 2nd, the second day of the great advance on the Somme. His mother was later notified that he had died from his wounds on July 16th.