1944_07_08_paine_robert.jpg

Captain, 18th Gurkha Rifles
Born: June 13th 1921
Died: July 8th 1944

Age at Death: 23

Killed, July 8th 1944 

House Prefect 1938
School Prefect 1939
2nd 15 1939-1940
Swimming 8 1937-1939 (captain 1939)

Robert was born on 13 June 1921 to Jack Paine, a farmer, and his wife Helen (née Hadow), of Maidstone in Kent. An excellent shot, he became captain of the College Shooting VIII and Platoon Commander in the Officer Training Corps in 1939, the year war broke out. By the time he left the College he had also served as a School Prefect.

Robert was commissioned as an officer in 1941, joining the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Gurkha Regiment. In 1944 he travelled to Burma, where in March his battalion landed by glider behind enemy lines, with the task of disrupting Japanese lines of communication. Bitter fighting ensued, at times so close that men fought with bayonets, swords and knives, but the position was held. On 8 July the battalion attacked a Japanese defensive position and inflicted heavy casualties. However, during this action Paine was killed by a grenade. He is buried at the Rangoon War Cemetery.

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