WW1. 1914-15 Star Trio with plaque, scroll and personal archive. Palmer. Royal Sussex Regiment. K.I.A.
£749.00
WW1 Trio
The 1914-15 Star is impressed 5-1805 Pte J.PALMER. R. SUSS. R.
The BWM & Victory medals are impressed 1905 PTE. J. PALMER. R. SUSS. R.
All with the original ribbons which show signs of handling. The medals are extremely fine.
James Palmer was born in Westminster, London in 1898. (His father Joseph William Palmer was a well known and successful stamp dealer with a shop on the strand who at the time was known as the King of Stamps)
James served with the 1/5th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, which saw a great deal of action. He Joined the war in France on 18th February 1915. He received a shrapnel wound to the eye on the 17th of May, and was killed in action on 13th April 1916, aged 18. He is commemorated at Hebuterne Military Cemetery. Pas de Calais.
Including in this group are the following, including rare personal documents.
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Group of 3 medals.
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His 'Pioneer Brand Golden Flake tobacco tin, as pictured.
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Death Plaque, with original inner and outed sleeve, and condolence certificate.
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His Commemorative scroll and its condolence certificate
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His issue / condolence letter for his war medal.
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An official letter dated 23rd May 1915 informing his Mother of the shell wound to his eye.
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A postcard sent from the front by James to his mother, dated 14th June 1915.
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A touching letter from a close comrade J J Carpenter, dated 24th April 1916, sent to James' parents, expressing sympathy and telling them of the arrangements made for James' grave including 2 NCO's that had personally made wreathes of Ivy, Daffodils, Violets and Cowslips.
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A personal and touching letter from the Rev J B Smith dated 15th April 1916 to his Mother concerning James funeral service. " He was laid to rest beside a comrade who died with him in a Military cemetery in a village close to the firing line. After the war it will be very peaceful and beautiful"
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A letter from J J Carpenter dated 7th July 1916. " I have come across the enclosed which was with Jim but am afraid I can find no trace of his Diary"
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The "enclosed" are 15 pages of diary notes written by James in pencil on ruled notebook paper (both sides) They cover from his departure to France on Febuary 18th 1915 and end on September 7th 1915. The final page has nothing on the back so whether James stopped writing a diary at this point or carried on in another format is not known. The 15 pages give a clear insight into the mundane life on the front, going to and from the trenches, filling sandbags, being shelled, etc. James writes in a matter of fact way about his participation in the Charge at Richebourg, when the German trenches were attacked, where he "Got wounded by shell over the right eye. One tooth broken and a swollen lip" for which he went to hospital at Bethune.
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2 photos of Jim in uniform, one with his younger brother Beresford. One is inscribed on the back. 'To dear Jim. From Barry with love'. Also a memorial card.
