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Ronald Boyd Payten - Information

Ronald Boyd Payten was born in Campbelltown on the 1st of July 1898. He grew up in the area residing with his parents on Sydney Rd. When Ronald was older, he served with the Senior Cadets and supported himself working as a clerk. After Ronald turned 18, he enlisted in the AIF at the Royal Showground Camp on the 18th of October 1916. Ronald then became a Trooper with the 7th Light Horse Regiment. Shipped overseas, he departed Melbourne onboard the HMAT Boorara on the 10th of May 1917.

Ronald arrived at Suez in June, and was taken to Moascar Camp for exercises with the 2nd Light Horse Regiment. In August, he was transferred back to the 7th Light Horse. Ronald and his unit participated in operations as the Turkish citadel of Gaza fell, followed by the capture of Jerusalem in December. In May 1918, Ronald was suffering with diarrhoea and was admitted to hospitals in Jerusalem, Gaza and Port Said. After recovering, Ronald rejoined his unit as they were conducting operations in Jordan and into Syria. Shortly after the war ended, Ronald left Kantara for the Dardanelles for duty, returning to Egypt in January 1919. He was then sent home from Madras on the 28th of June 1919, and discharged in early September. Ronald then decided to re-enlist in the AIF on the 9th September. He was assigned to the 'Frankfurt Guard' at Holsworthy Camp. Shortly after he arrived, however, he requested a discharge which was subsequently granted.