Percy Payne
Welcome to the dedicated tribute to Percy Payne at Foers Reborns in Rotherham. Created in the ADG style, this custom ancestor doll honours the life, character, and enduring Yorkshire spirit of a cherished family relative born in 1896.
A tribute sculpted by memory and Yorkshire heritage
This doll is a tribute to my ancestor, born in 1896 in Brightside, Sheffield. He is not based on a commercial sculpt artist or kit; instead, he represents Percy’s real features, personal character, and deep Yorkshire heritage. Created purely for display within my family history collection, his proportions reflect an adult-themed ancestor doll rather than a standard baby sculpt.
What makes him truly special is the history he carries: baptised in Tinsley in 1909, moving to Brinsworth in 1911, and enlisting from Bowbroom in 1915 to serve his country in the York and Lancaster Regiment. Having lived through the loss of his brother in 1918, he completed his service in 1920, married Gwendoline in 1930, raised his children through the 1930s and 1940s, and passed away in Rotherham in 1979 at the age of 82. Rather than pursuing baby realism, Percy stands in my ancestor-themed nursery as a heartfelt symbol of resilience, remembrance, and working-class strength.
Reborn Percy pictured left.
Artistic details honouring character and resilience
Crafted thoughtfully in the distinctive ADG style, Percy’s fine details celebrate historic character rather than modern infant realism. He features soft, painted skin tones drawn from Yorkshire working-class life, giving him a warm and natural complexion. His hair is carefully styled in a neat, traditional cut true to the early twentieth century, accompanied by gentle eyes chosen to reflect his calm, steadfast personality.
His weight and balanced proportions adhere to the ADG display format, making him ideal for standing pride of place in an ancestral showcase rather than being handled like a lifelike reborn baby. Every single aesthetic decision was made to capture Percy’s unique identity and the lasting legacy he left for my family.
World War image pictured right.
A permanent legacy in my family nursery
Percy is not an adoptable reborn doll and cannot be rehomed. As a treasured, permanent member of my ancestor-themed nursery, he remains forever in my private family collection here in Rotherham. Consequently, he does not come with commercial adoption items such as magnetic dummies, boxed certificates, or collectors' accessories, nor is he listed across sales groups.
His enduring place is right here with me, faithfully honouring his remarkable journey from Brightside to Brinsworth, his wartime service, and his devotion to family.
Pictured left another war image.
Below is Percy's bio to download.