Research Forum

Mr Alfred William Payne
published by on Thu, 31/08/2017 - 18:09
I'm posting two obituaries about my grandfather
As I didn't really have the chance to meet him, I'd like to find out more about him. He was well known locally, so I'm hoping this post will yield something about him I can really relate to. He was obviously a brave man. My mother is now well advanced in years, it'd be good to share anything I find out from here, thanks for the chance to ask about him.

DEATH OF MR ALFRED PAYNE (73)
A Weston lifeboatman for 51 years, Mr Alfred William Payne died aged 73
R Payne, better known as “juicy”, retired from service in 1977. He lived with one of his sons (Derek) and daughter-in-law at Newland Road, Weston.
Mr Payne was one of the coxswains in the history of the Weston lifeboat – at the age of 37: and became superintendent coxswain in 1970. After 50 years service with the lifeboat, he was presented with a golden jubilee award.
Born in Worthy Place, Weston, Mr Payne lived in Palmer Row for a number of years.
His family have been fishermen and boatmen in the town since Weston was a village. Mr Payne’s son, Derek, frequently crewed with his father.
When Mr Payne joined the local station in 1926, it had a non motorised lifeboat powered by 12 oarsmen and supplemented by sails.
After retiring as coxswain, he remained on the local station’s management committee.
Mr Payne leaves four sons and two daughters. A funeral service will take place on Tuesday morning at Weston Crematorium.
LIFEBOAT VETERAN ALF PAYNE DIES, 73
Tributes poured in last night for one of the West’s best known lifeboatmen.
They were for Mr Alf Payne, a member of the Weston-super-Mare crew for 51 years, who died earlier Yesterday.
Mr Payne, aged 73, of Newland Road, Weston, had been ill for a short time.
He had, however, never given up his work for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Yesterday as the flag outside the Weston boathouse flew at half mast volunteer helper Mrs Jo Allum said: “People have been coming in all day to say how upset they are.
“Everyone knew Alf. He was a great character – the like of which we will never see again”.
Mr Payne, whose family had been fishermen and boat owners in the resort from the days when it was a small village at the turn of the 19th century, joined Weston lifeboat crew in 1926.
He was appointed second coxswain in 1938 and became Weston’s youngest coxswain in 1948 – when he was 37.