Lieutenant/Acting Captain William Victor Palmer Royal West Kent Regiment

[Jonathan Saunders]

Hello again Jetkins,

I am sorry to hear about your father's passing. I believe this sad news was mentioned in the Regimental Gazette but will check and if not, inform other interested parties. I am now custodian of the odd medal from your father's former collection.

"Invicta" With the First Battalion The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment in the Great War by Major C.V. Molony has been re-published by Naval & Military Press and is easily available as a reeprint. However I would recommend you search out an original copy from the 1920s - often seen on Ebay in UK or via Abebooks. Take a look online and if you continue to have problems sourcing a copy let me know, as I have contacts with some local (Kent) military book specialists.

Also beware that many original copies suffer foxing after these many years. Just make sure you buy a copy that has minimal or no foxing ... worth paying a little more.

With my belated condolences to you and your family.

Jonathan S

[jetkins]

Hello again.  I've just revisited my earlier post with the family photo, and updated a few details and dates that I have been able to determine in the couple of years since I originally posted.  Alas, also during that time, my aunt Sue passed away - the last survivor of the Palmer dynasty.  She was laid to rest in the Shorncliffe military cemetery, joining her mother, father, and twin brothers.

 

Which brings me to a new request.  Since I am now the surviving next of kin to my grandfather and uncles, I would love to obtain their service records from the MOD, but in order to do so, I need to know either my grandfather's date of birth or service number.  Unfortunately I know neither, so I was wondering if anyone here might be able to provide either piece of information.

 

Thanks in advance,

  Jon.

[seaJane]

On the assumption that he was born in Kent I have found two possibles on https://familysearch.org

• one born in Shortlands, Bromley in the July-Sep quarter of 1887
• one born in Dover in the same quarter of 1898 - who seems, however, from FreeBMD, to be the William Victor Palmer who died at Tonbridge in the June quarter of 1975

It might be worth applying to the General Register Office for the 1887 birth certificate, perhaps? (if my assumption of line 1 is correct).

[jetkins]

6 hours ago, seaJane said:

On the assumption that he was born in Kent I have found two possibles on https://familysearch.org

• one born in Shortlands, Bromley in the July-Sep quarter of 1887
• one born in Dover in the same quarter of 1898 - who seems, however, from FreeBMD, to be the William Victor Palmer who died at Tonbridge in the June quarter of 1975

It might be worth applying to the General Register Office for the 1887 birth certificate, perhaps? (if my assumption of line 1 is correct).

Thank you for those leads; most helpful.  I believe the family had long lived in Kent, and my father's notes had him born c.1888, so Bromley in 1887 would appear quite likely to be him.

[Jonathan Saunders]

On ‎23‎/‎06‎/‎2016 at 00:56, seaJane said:

It might be worth applying to the General Register Office for the 1887 birth certificate, perhaps? (if my assumption of line 1 is correct).

 

Almost certainly correct Jane.  Col. Palmer was born on 15 July 1887 but annoyingly I don't have place of birth to 100% confirm your assumption.  Apologies for the late response and thanks for posting the photos of the family graves at Shornecliffe.

 

Regards,

Jonathan S

[HarryBrook]

If I might butt in -

The 1911 census records, presumably in barracks, at Headley Hampshire, 2nd Lt. William Victor Palmer, 1st Bn., Royal West Kent Regiment, place of birth Shortlands, Kent.

The 1939 Register confirms his date of birth as 15 July 1887.

3, Julian Road, Folkestone, Kent.

William V, Palmer born 15 July 1887, Colonel Regular Army I/C Records Office

Ethne M. Palmer born 24.1.1916 unpaid domestic duties

Sybil M. Excell born 22.2.1908 housemaid