PAIGE, HARRY
Rank:
Service No:
Date of Death:
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Text on stone:
Private
6977135
23/09/1944
30
The King’s Own Scottish Borderers 6th Bn.
I. C. 16.
Gone but not forgotten forever shall thy memory fade
sweet thoughts ever linger there thou art laid. Omey and mum
Additional information:
Son of May Paige; husband of Omey Paige, of Sutton, Surrey
Born 1-4-1915, Croydon, Surrey. Died during the battles around the village of Best and initially buried near Garage vd Heuvel, Rijksweg, Best.
Harry Paige was born on 23 April 1914 in Maiden, London, Surrey. In civilian life he worked as a labourer. He was described as being 5 feet 7 inches tall, with grey eyes and fair hair.
He enlisted in the British Army in London on 9 August 1932, joining the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (later also serving with the Royal Irish Fusiliers). Early in his career he experienced disciplinary difficulties: after receiving warning for overseas service, he deserted from 12 September 1934 until 3 July 1935. Despite this, he continued his military service and went on to build up extensive overseas experience.
Harry served in Palestine from 12 September 1936 to 30 November 1936, followed by postings to Singapore from 5 February 1937 until 25 October 1938, and then to India from 26 October 1938 until 19 November 1942. During this period, in 1937, he served as a lorry driver in the army and also received training as a parachutist. He later served in Egypt from 20 November 1942 until March 1943, returned briefly to Palestine from March to May 1943, and then served again in Egypt from May until November 1943.
On 13 February 1942, Harry transferred to the Army Air Corps. He returned to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 21 May 1943. On 25 December 1943, he married Omey Wallis in Sutton, Surrey. The couple had no children.
Harry was sent to North-West Europe on 17 July 1944. Shortly before this, on 12 July 1944, he was transferred to the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Harry Paige was killed in action on 23 September 1944, bringing to an end a long and varied military career marked by service across much of the British Empire.
