Reginald John Allen Palmer
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Reginald John Allen Palmer was born on 9th March 1896 and was baptised on 4th April 1896 at Wimbledon, he was the only son of the Reverend Edward John and Florence Connette Palmer née Saunders of the Rectory at Widmerpool, Nottingham. His father Edward John was born in 1862 at Plumstead, Kent his mother Florence Connette Saunders was also born in 1862 at Plumstead, they were married in 1886 in Devon and also had a daughter Jane Elizabeth Joyce born 1899 at Wimbledon. In the 1911 census the family are living at the Rectory at Widmerpool, Florence Edward John 49 yrs is a clerk i holy orders, he is living with his daughter Jane Elizabeth Joyce 12 yrs also at the address are two servants.
Lieutenant Reginald Allen Palmer served with the 1st battalion Wiltshire Regiment, he was wound near Thiepval on 7th July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme and died at Amiens on 22nd July 1916, buried at St Pierre Cemetery, Amiens, France.
WMA 27231. The inscription on the memorial in St Peter's church, Widmerpool, reads: 'To the dear memory of Reginald John Allen Palmer, Lieut, 1st Battn the Wiltshire Regiment, only son of the rector of this parish. Wounded near Theipval 7 July 1916 in the Battle of the Somme. Died at Amiens 22 July 1916, aged 20 years. Buried in the military cemetery outside that town. Mentioned in Despatches. Be though faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.'The framed photographs on the south wall of the church show him in uniform and 'just out of the trenches'. The text reads: 'Reginald John Allen Palmer, Lieut 3rd Wiltshire regt. Wounded on the Somme. Died in hospital in Amiens July 1916. Age 20 years. Mentioned in Despatches. Commemorated with his friend, JG Broome, in the David and Jonathan windows in the College Aisle, St Aldhelm's Weymouth.'WMA980: Second Lieutenant LG Broome and Lt RJA Palmer; St Adhelms Church, Spa Road, Weymouth, Dorset. The memorial, a four-light stained glass window, was previously in Weymouth College, Dorset (closed c1940) and was rededicated on 8 October 1949. The inscriptions read: (left light) 'And they went out both of them unto the field, 1 Samuel 20-11. In loving memory of 2nd Lieut Louis George Broome, 2nd Royal Scots, who died of wounds in France 5th June 1915 aged 17 years. Ah! Not for idle hatred, not for honour, fame nor self applause, but for the glory of the cause. You did what will not be forgot.' (right light) 'There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18-24. In ever loving memory of Reginald John Allen Palmer, Lieutenant, 1st Wiltshire Regiment. Born 9 March 1896. Died at Amiens of wounds received in the Battle of the Somme, 22 July 1916.'WMA12360: RJA Palmer; Emmanuel Church, Wimbledon, London. A stained glass window portraying Palmer as a medieval knight carrying sword and shield. Inscription: 'Fortitude. be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life. In loving memory of Reginald John Allen Palmer, Lieut 1st Wiltshire Regiment. Born at Wimbledon March 9th 1896, died at Amiens of wounds received in the Battle of the Somme, July 22nd 1916.'
