Charles William Palmer

Formerly a Private with 431 Agricultural Company, Charles died on 16th of April 1920 at the age of 36. 

Charles was born at Lakenham, Norwich, on 23 April 1883, a son of John and Susannah Palmer. He was baptised at Saint Mark’s Church, Lakenham, on 5 August 1888, and his family lived at 13 Pump Row. In 1891 his family lived at 4 Pump Row. By 1901 Charles’ mother had died and the family lived at 33 Back Trafalgar Opening, Norwich, and Charles worked as a starch labourer. 

On 26 May 1906 Charles married Lily Fountain at Heigham, Norwich. By 1910 they were living at Carlton Colville and Charles was a milkman. In 1911 their home was at Ship Corner, Carlton Colville, and Charles was a farm labourer, at some point he had also been a cowman. By 1915 they were living at Chapel Cottages, Mutford.

Charles was working as a labourer when he attested for the Army at Lowestoft on 2 October 1915. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 21855. Charles was posted to the 10th (Reserve) Battalion on 6 October 1915 and then, on 1 September 1916, joined the 26th Training Reserve Battalion, with service number TR/9/4412. Charles was in medical category B ii, and so was not detailed for overseas service. He was posted to the 2nd (Home Service) Garrison Battalion on 30 December 1916 but was attached to the 3rd Battalion from 4 March 1917 to 11 August 1917. 

Charles returned to the 2nd (Home Service) Garrison Battalion just as this was being redesignated as the 6th Battalion Royal Defence Corps and so Charles was transferred to this unit with service number 61969. On 8 December 1917 Charles was transferred to the Labour Corps, service number 491655, and posted to 431 Agricultural Company. 

Charles was discharged on 18 March 1919. His records shows that he tubercular disease and slight epididymitis attributable to his service and he was judged to have a 20% disability. He received a pension of 8/8 per week from 19 March 1919.

Charles died at Normanston Hospital, Oulton Broad, from pulmonary tuberculosis connected to his military service. 

Note: Commonwealth War Graves gives the Royal Defence Corps as Charles' primary regiment, however his service papers are extant an show that he was serving with the Labour Corps for the last fifteen months of his service.