| Regimental number | 593 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Port Pirie, South Australia |
| School | Port Pirie Public School, South Australia |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | Crystal Brook, South Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 31 |
| Height | 5' 7.75" |
| Weight | 177 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs J Palmer, Crystal Brook, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Keswick, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 32nd Battalion, B Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/49/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on |
| The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on two ships, HMAT A2 'Geelong', on 18 November 1915, and HMAT A13 'Katuna', on 24 November 1915. The Embarkation Roll does not distinguish between these ships, and it is therefore not possible from the Embarkation Roll to ascertain on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from |
| The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on two ships, HMAT A2 'Geelong', on 18 November 1915, and HMAT A13 'Katuna', on 24 November 1915. The Embarkation Roll does not distinguish between these ships, and it is therefore not possible from the Embarkation Roll to ascertain on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 32nd Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Family/military connections | Brother: 1963 Pte Leonard PALMER, 50th Bn, returned to Australia, 15 June 1919. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Disembarked Suez, ex-HMAT 'Geelong', 18 December 1915. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916. Posted missing, 20 July 1916. Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 12 August 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 20 July 1916'. Note on Red Cross File No 2080712: 'No trace Germany. Cert. by Capt. Mills. 10.10.19.' Statement, 427 Pte H. WHITEHEAD, 32nd Bn, 21 May 1917: 'I saw Palmer killed by a bullet in the head just as we were going over the top at Fleurbaix on the 19th July, 1916. He was buried later by the pioneers.' Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, PALMER William John
Red Cross file 2080712 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
