In the beautiful graveyard overlooking the Irish Sea is the grave of Richard John PAYNE born in 1924 and a pupil of Clapham College from 1934-40, he was born in Streatham Vale. Richard was the son of Richard and Sarah Ellen Payne. He ran in the 100 yards relay in the 1939 Sports Day for Glastonbury. He was a Sergeant Pilot in the RAF – an Air Gunner who died aged 20 on 11/10/1944.

He was flying in a Halifax II bomber.- V9983 - 1662 HCU, it crashed on the East Lound Road - Graizelound near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, on the 7th February 1944, Halifax V9983 took off from RAF Blyton at 20.13 hours for solo night circuits and landings, but crashed within five minutes of commencing the exercise. The Instructor had just handed over the aircraft to a Pupil Pilot who had safely completed his dual instruction. The aircraft crashed at the start of the downward leg about five miles from the drome.

Eye witnesses said the aircraft did a sharp turn to the right with the nose dropping, and it went into a dive and hit the ground. In their opinion the sharp turn was carried out to avoid another aircraft in the vicinity and all eight on board were killed. Richard was officially listed as killed in action - but died on a Training Flight - what a terrible waste - I know of four/five other Xaverians who died on Training Flights!

Why was Richard buried in Barrow-in-Furnace? I tried to find out – but I haven’t a clue! He was stationed at RAF Blyton in Lincolnshire, his bomber crashed there, and after all, his family lived in Streatham.

THIS WAS A GOOD DAY -

WE SAID A PRAYER FOR RICHARD & LEFT FLOWERS - IT'S A LONG WAY FROM CLAPHAM BUT A LOVELY PLACE-TODAY HE WAS REMEMBERED

Scotty [Alton Towers tomorrow!]