PAINE, Duke William (1895-1978) Born at Terang on 6 November 1895, Duke William Paine was the son of Duke Edward Paine and Catherine Mary Murray nee Bain.
He was enrolled at Geelong College in February 1910, leaving in December 1913. His address at the time of enrolment was Noble Street, Newtown and he had previously attended Belmont State School. He was a member of the College 1st Football XVIII in 1912 and 1913, the 1st Cricket XI in 1913 and a School Prefect in 1913.
After leaving College, he studied at The University of Melbourne, where he completed an Articled Clerks’ Course. During World War I, he enlisted (No 38081) in the AIF on 16 May 1917, and embarked on 9 November 1917 as a Gunner with the 31st Artillery Reinforcements on
HMAT A15 Port Sydney. He served in France with 112 Howitzer Battery, 12 Australian Field Artillery and was wounded on 23 August 1918, being hospitalised in England until 12 September.
D H Oliver wrote to the Headmaster on 29 September 1918, part of his letter was quoted in
Pegasus of December 1918:
'I met Gibb the other day looking well and fit. I cheered him up by telling him that he was in for a rough time with the Artillery, but he did not seem very depressed over the prospect I painted for him. I met Paine, commonly known in the old days as ‘Streak’. He has returned wounded from France, but is quite fit and strong again.' The
Geelong Advertiser of 15 October 1918 reported his wounding. He returned to Australia, embarking on 14 January 1919 in
HMT City of York, and was demobilised from the AIF on 23 April.
Sources: Based on an edited extract from Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck. p 280-281 (citing The University of Melbourne: Record of Active Service of Teachers, Graduates, Undergraduates, Officers and Servants (1926); Pegasus; National Archives).