David Bruce Payne
Dundolma House, Marine Parade, Walmer
St George’s House, 170 Beach Street
177 Beach Street
Occupation: Curate of St Mary’s Walmer & Canon of St George’s Deal
David Bruce Payne was a well-known figure in both Deal and Walmer. He was the vicar of St George’s in Deal from 1868 up to his death in 1913. A young man, George Rose, who was enjoying a holiday in Deal, staying with his relations, attended St George’s regularly on a Sunday. This is what he wrote in his diary –
Sept 2nd 1900 ‘Went to St George’s church in the evening. Had a beautiful service, organ lovely, singing good, sermon splendid.’
Sept 9th 1900 ‘St George’s in the evening beautiful music and a splendid sermon. Mendelssohn’s Cornelius March to walk out on.’
May 31st 1903 ‘Hot morning. Went to St George’s. Canon Payne is splendid as a Christian and a scholar.’
The Temperance Movement attracted support from clergymen of all dominations. The founding of the ‘Deal Lodge’ gave Canon Payne the chance to speak out to his congregation and highlight the evils of ‘drink’. In 1875 Reverend Payne, joining forces with the Rector of St Andrew’s and the Congregational Minister, persuaded the magistrates in Deal to close the Bricklayer’s Arms situated in West Street due to the ‘immoral character of the house’.
Payne’s youngest son, Orlebar, followed his father into the church. He was a curate in Sandwich when, in July 1922, he was involved in a road accident. Both he and his wife were travelling on his motorcycle and sidecar when it collided with a lorry. Emma was thrown clear but Orlebar was critically injured and died.