To commemorate 100 years since the Armistice, we would like to introduce you to 100 members of Caulfield RSL over the next 100 days
John Bernard Payte
John Payte was born in Marylebone, in the centre of London in 1882.
In 1900 at the age of 18 he Enlisted in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, where he served in South Africa during the 2 Boer War. In 1912 he left the army, migrated to Australia and got work as a Chauffeur.
With the outbreak of WW1, he re-enlisted in August 1914 at the age of 32 into the AIF and the 4 Light Horse Regiment. Almost immediately he was promoted to Sergeant.
With the Light Horse, he sailed to Egypt as part of the Initial Australian Effort. The Light horse was then (without their horses) landed on Gallipoli. John was soon promoted to Lieutenant on Gallipoli. When the regiment returned to Egypt he was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps to learn to fly. Apparently, this was not successful, as in March 1917 he returns to the Regiment where they continue to fight the Turks. On the 31 October as the deputy commander of B Squadron of the 4 Light Horse he rides against the Ottoman forces at Beersheba, thus taking part in the last cavalry charge of modern history. With bayonets drawn they overwhelmed the Garrison and took the town, capturing intact water, supplies and troops, helping to effectively win the war in that part of the Middle East.
He returned to Australia in October 1918 and with a loan from the repatriation commission purchased a car for use as a taxi.
When WW2 started he again enlisted. this time acting as Commander of the POW camp in Country Victoria. He was invalided out due to medical conditions in 1942 with the Rank of Major.
He died in 1954 after taking part in 3 major conflicts in his lifetime.
Lest we forget