William James Palmer
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William was the son of Herbert James Palmer and Emma Palmer née Ward. Herbert and Emma were married in Nottingham in 1880. Their children included: Emma (b.1880/d.1882), Florence (b.1884), Leonard (b.1888), Minnie (b.1890), Beatrice (b.1894) and William James (b.1896). There was another child, Alice, born in 1879 before her parents married, but it is not clear what subsequently happened to her. In 1881 the family was living at 1 Osberton Street, Basford but by 1891 were at 54 Randal Street, Hyson Green. They had moved again by 1901 to 24 Nutthall Road, Bobbersmill, and were still at the same address at the time of the 1911 Census and in 1918. His father, Herbert, was a baker and both his sons worked in his business. Herbert died in 1916 aged 56. William's brother Leonard also served during the war and documents dated 1921 in his Army record gave their mother's address as 10 Wordsworth Road, Radford. She died on 12 April 1927 at the age of 68. Leonard Palmer married Alice Ermyntrude Perkins at St Stephen's Church, Hyson Green, on 11 September 1913 . They had two sons: Leonard James (b.1914) and Leslie Arthur (b.1916). Leonard served in the Cheshire Regiment, 12th Entrenching Battalion, later 16th Battalion (51801 Private) and was killed in action on 23 March 1918 aged 29 (Pozieres Memorial). His widow married Noah Stapleton in 1922 and died in 1975 aged 86. Florence married Joseph Ward and died on 26 December 1949.
Private James William Palmer, served with the 1/8th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, he was killed in action on 6th December 1917. He is buried in Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, France.
Nottingham Evening Post Roll of Honour 15/12/1917: 'Palmer. Killed in action December 6th, William James Palmer Sherwood Foresters, youngest son of Mrs Palmer 24 Nuthall Road Bobbers Mill aged 21.' Inscription on tablet by family grave, Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery: ‘Sacred to the memory of our dear brothers Leonard & William James Palmer, killed in France March 23rd 1918 aged 29 years. Killed in action Dec 6th 1917 aged 21 (sic) years. A noble sacrifice’ His brother Private Leonard Palmer, served with the 16th Battalion Cheshire Regiment, he was killed in action on 23rd March 1918. A baker, he attested under the Derby Scheme on 11th December 1915. Mobilised on 3rd July 1917, he landed in France on 31st October 1917. Living at 26 Berridge Avenue, Berridge Road, at the time of his attestation, his widow, Alice Ermyntrude Palmer, of was living at 4 Wyvie Terrace, Palin Street, Nottingham, in 1919. Death notices published 15th December 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “PALMER. – Killed in action, December 6th, Pte. W. J. Palmer, Sherwood Foresters, youngest son of Mrs. Palmer, 24 Nuthall-road, Bobber's Mill, aged 21. A sudden shock, a blow severe, to part with one we love so dear; his cheerful smile, his bright young face, no more on earth can be replaced. – From his heart-broken mother, sisters. “ PALMER- Killed in action, December 6th, Pte. W. J. Palmer, 24 Nuthall-road, Bobber's Mill. He will never be forgotten, never will his memory fade; loving thoughts will always wander ot[sic] the place where he is laid. – From brother Leonard (in France) ] and sister-in-law.” Above are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
