| Regimental number | 8/3994 |
| Occupation | Ploughman |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Emma Palmer, 15 Dicey Street, Woolwich, England |
| Rank on embarkation | Private |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 11th Reinforcements, Otago Infantry Battalion, D Company |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on |
| The Infantry component of the 11th Reinforcements left New Zealand on board two ships (HMNZT 49 'Maunganui' and HMNZT 50 'Tahiti'). It is not possible from the Nominal Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked. The Nominal Roll gives the date of departure as 1 April 1916; harbour records indicate that the actual date of embarkation was 2 April 1916. | |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During the morning of 5th April 1918, in the sector around Auchonvillers, the enemy placed down a terrific barrage, evidently in preparation for an attack. Although the maintenance of telephone
wires was a heart-breaking and almost hopeless task, Corporal Palmer went out continually through the enemy?s barrage, and mended the breaks in the wire. As the result of his gallant work communication with Brigade Headquarters was maintained with fair consistency. This NCO, in spite of great danger, worked on the Company lines and endeavoured to establish telephone communication forward. In the course of this work he was out in the open for several hours, during which the enemy?s bombardment continued. His great courage and devotion to duty was a splendid inspiration to the other linesman.'
Source: London Gazette Date: |
| Sources | Nominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 28, p. 15 |