Oct 9, 1887

Born in London, England to William and Mary (nee Dunham) Palmer

Oct 22, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59771 (temporary number 214)

Ø  Next of kin given as William Palmer, father, Chase Rd., Southgate, London, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Assigned to 3 Platoon “B” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “A” Company and remained a member of 3 Platoon

 
The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

Dec 10, 1914

Appointed to the provisional rank of Lance Corporal without pay

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

 
Pay increased to that of Lance Corporal

Jul 1, 1915

Confirmed in his rank of Lance Corporal

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

Jan 29, 1916

Promoted to the rank of Corporal to replace Cpl 59769 JJ Page who had been promoted

May 15, 1916

During the fierce fighting at the St. Eloi Craters, Corporal Palmer was killed in action.  According to his Platoon Sergeant (later Lieutenant) G.E. Burtt MC, he was shot the head by an enemy sniper.

May 16, 1916

Buried by his comrades in the Ridgewood Cemetery, Voormezeele, Belgium

 
Following the war the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Mary Palmer, 3 Ivy Cottages, Travers Road, Southgate N., England

 
The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Mr. Palmer, at the same address

Herbert Palmer had been a member of the Christ Church in Southgate, England
and his name is honoured on a plaque there

On the 100th Anniversary of his death, the Church
remembered him in their newsletter