[1] Paynter joined the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) in early 1916 as a probationary temporary flight sub-lieutenant, and was confirmed in his rank on 25 June 1916.
Paynter died on 6 June 1918 from wounds suffered during a German bombing raid on his squadron's aerodrome at Bergues, France.
[6] He is also memorialised at Saint Peter's Church, Somerstown, Portsmouth, on a plaque located under the organ loft.
[7] As his award citation shows, Paynter performed admirably in air-to-ground combat as well as in the air: For the good work performed by him during a bombing attack on Ostende Seaplane Base on the 3rd March, 1918, carried out in spite of very adverse weather conditions.
He has shown great zeal and courage as a fighting pilot, having destroyed several enemy machines, and been twice wounded in aerial combats.