George (right, with wife Gertrude, centre) was one of Charlie's three older brothers. He is referred to in the diaries as "George", "Geo." and occasionally as "G." Born on 15 November 1879, he was almost four years older than Charlie. Another older brother, Edward Arthur Payne (b. 1881) died from a heart condition in 1896, which meant that in 1903-1904, George was the brother nearest in age to Charlie. Like Charlie, George was still living at home with his parents in East Dulwich in 1903, as was their older brother Harry.
George emerges from the diaries as a keen cyclist, an interest which, for a brief period at least, he shared with Charlie. In addition, for part of the time in 1903 and 1904, they also shared a bedroom. At Christmas 1904, Charlie records that George introduced his 'young lady', (Ellen) Gertrude Kemp, to the family. Though he took a while to get around to it, George eventually married Gertrude on 3 September 1910 at St Matthew's Church, Denmark Hill, witnessed by his mother, and his brother, Charlie. The couple had one son, Herbert Stanley Payne (1911-2007). It is not entirely clear from Charlie's diary what form of employment George was involved in during 1903-1904. Reading between the lines, it is possible that he was employed as a tailor in London, or in a clerical capacity by tailors. Either would be feasible, and a natural link with his father's profession. Later in life, George certainly worked as a tailor's manager, and book-keeper. From family documents it is also unclear whether George served in the armed forces during the First World War or not. Like many others of his generation George died from causes associated with lung cancer; on 4 June 1963 at his home in Thornton Road, Bromley.