Author of Walkabout who preferred anonymity
The Sydney Morning Herald
10/12/2018
Using three pseudonyms, one with Australian connections, Donald Payne, who has died aged 94, was the author of some 40 books including Walkabout which was made into the film of the same name starring Jenny Agutter. He was also a consultant editor for many years for the Readers Digest.
He served in the Fleet Air Arm as a 21-year-old pilot flying Swordfish during World II, escorting convoys across the Atlantic and to Russia.
He was later to write about his wartime experiences in several books that were well received. He was best known in Australia as the author of Walkabout, made into the film by Nicolas Roeg in 1971.
Donald Gordon Payne was born in Denmark Hill in South East London in January 1924. His father, Francis, was a New Zealander, who served in the First World War with the ANZACS. His mother was Evelyn Rodgers, a nurse during the Great War.
Donald Payne's novel Walkabout has remained in print since its first publication in 1959.
Donald Payne's novel Walkabout has remained in print since its first publication in 1959.Credit:
He was educated at Dulwich College Preparatory School and then at Charterhouse School. As a child he travelled with his parents to New Zealand and parts of the East coast of Australia – an experience which left him with a lifelong affection for these countries.
PAYNE, Donald G. (Donald Gordon Payne)
Born: 1/3/1924, Denmark Hill, London, England, U.K.
Died: 10/?/2018, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Donald G. Payne’s western – novelist
Santa Fe – 1951