No.2646, Private, Theodore PALMER
Aged 25
no medal entitlement
4th/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment
Died of Illness on Thursday, 17th January 1918
Silver War Badge
|
Theodore Palmer was born in Prickwillow in 1891(Ely Q4-1891 3B:547), son of Thomas and Sarah Ann PALMER (née HAMEY).
Most records persist in having him born in 1893, but his birth registration gives 1891.
1901 census...Aged 9, he was at Mill Lane, Hengrave, Suffolk, with his father Thomas [42] farm foreman born Burnt Fen, his mother Sarah A [44] born Chippenham, and sister Adeline [11] born Prickwillow. He had an elder brother George [1880] and sisters Florence H [1883] and Edith E [1885]. 1911 census...Aged 19, grocer's shop assistant, he was at Riverside, Prickwillow with his parents, brother George T (yardman) and sister Addie. Burial records have him at Bondgate, Swaffham Prior. |
|
He enlisted 7th September 1914 and was discharged through sickness on 22nd June 1916. He had not served abroad, hence has no medal entitlement.
His Army records have not been found. The fact that he is recognised by CWGC signifies his illness was caused by or aggravated by military service.
The Silver War Badge was issued in the United Kingdom to service personnel who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness during World War I. The badge, sometimes known as the Discharge Badge, Wound Badge or Services Rendered Badge, was first issued in September 1916, along with an official certificate of entitlement. The sterling silver lapel badge was intended to be worn in civilian clothes. It had been the practice of some women to present white feathers to apparently able-bodied young men who were not wearing the King's uniform. The badge was to be worn on the right breast while in civilian dress, it was forbidden to wear it on a military uniform. The badge bears the royal cipher of GRI (for Georgius Rex Imperator; George, King and Emperor) and around the rim "For King and Empire; Services Rendered". Each badge was uniquely numbered on the reverse. The War Office made it known that they would not replace Silver War Badges if they went missing, however if one was handed into a police station then it would be returned to the War Office. If the original recipient could be traced at his or her discharge address then the badge would be returned.
photo: Paul Saban click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
