Thomas Palmer
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- Military History
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Thomas was born in Arnold in 1885, the son of John a frame work knitter and the late Agnes Ellen Palmer née Jordan. of Chapel Lane, Arnold. His father John was born in 1860 at Arnold, his mother Agnes Ellen Jordan was born in 1860 in Arnold she died in 1891 she was 31 yrs of age, they were married on 3rd September 1882 at St Marys Church, Arnold, they went on to have the following children, Joseph b1883, Thomas b1885, Sarah b1886 and Catherine b1886. Thomas was raised in Arnold, attending the British School on Front Street, Thomas married his wife Mabel Hudon in 1897 at Nottingham, they lived at 54 Furlong Avenue Arnold, they had a daughter Ethel born in 1911. In the 1911 Census he is shown as head of his family living at 38 St Albans Road, Arnold, together with his wife Mabel to whom he has been married a year and their daughter Ethel 2 months of age. Thomas is shown as being 26 yrs and a roadman for the Urban District Council. They were living at 54 Furlong Avenue, Arnold, at the time of Thomas' death in 1917. His widow Mabel was awarded a pension of 18 shillings and 9 pence a week which commenced on 8th April 1918.
Private Thomas Palmer enlisted into the Sherwood Foresters Regiment and after initial training was posted to the 16th (Chatsworth Rifles) Battalion. On 20th September 1917 the battalion attacked the German line Shrewsbury Forest. The battalion assembled during the hours of darkness and in heavy rain, which assembly was completed 2 hours prior to Zero Hour. There were a few casualties caused by German shellfire. The enemy artillery also opened about 30 seconds after Zero causing about 20 casualties and knocking out a Lewis Gun Team of the Centre Company. This shell fire did not amount to a barrage but to avoid losses, the Companies were pushed forward and got somewhat mixed up with the Rear Wave of the 17th Bn and there was a thick fog at this time. By 7am the battalion skirmishers and leading waves had advanced to attack the BLUE LINE . There was much heavy fighting in the area and it was at this time that Corporal Egerton, leading a number of men in a most gallant manner attacked the area known as Welbeck Grange shooting several of the enemy and taking some 29 prisoners. The leading waves were close up to the British barrage and moved forward steadily against some opposition, which was quickly dealt with. During the attack which was completely successful, two officers were killed and two wounded and 36 Other Ranks were killed and 126 wounded with 24 missing. Thomas was one of those killed in this attack, but it is almost impossible to say at which point in the attack he met his death. His body was never identified (most probably due to the effects of shellfire) and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Passchendaele, Belgium (Panel 99 to 102 and 162 to 162A)
He had an elder brother Joseph who also served and died in the Great War. Nottinghamshire Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 18 October 1917: ‘Palmer. Killed in action, September 29th, 1917, Pte T Palmer, Sherwood Foresters, aged 33 years, the beloved and loving husband of Mabel Palmer, 54 Furlong-avenue, Arnold. The unknown grave is the (-) blow, none but aching hearts can know. Deeply mourned by sorrowing wife and child.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
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