Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Market Harborough Advertiser 1st March 1946:

'Hallaton Airman Killed- WAAF Sister in Germany'

Son of Fred 'Sport' Payne, highlight of Hallaton's struggles with Medbourne in the Easter Monday bottle-kicking, Flight Sgt Engineer Donald Frederick Payne lost his life with the rest of the crew, when their Lancaster Bomber exploded in mid-air at Leamington.

Donald, who had himself taken part in the 'ceremony' and once took the 'bottle' to Hallaton, was buried at Stockerston Churchyard on Tuesday afternoon.

His sister, LACW Monica, returned to her unit near the Danish Border at the weekend, unaware of the death of her brother, with whom she had spent a happy six days' leave at their village home.

Donald applied for an extension of his own leave in order that he might stay until his sister returned but it was refused. He returned to his unit and the flight which ended in his death.

Half an hour after Monica left for Hull on her journey to the Continent came the tragic news and unsuccessful attempts were made to intercept her at Peterborough. The eldest son, Sgt Horace Payne had already made the supreme sacrifice.

Donald, aged 22, had taken part in war-time operations and had survived one crash in which the rear-gunner was killed.
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Submitted by B. Hakewill, 2018