Private 13250 John Alexander Palmer

Killed in Action on Monday, 10th July 1916, age 21.
Commemorated on Pier and Face 7 B of Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

8th Bn., South Staffordshire Regiment. 51st Brigade of 17th Division.

Son of Mr Thomas and Mrs Hannah Palmer, of 15, Martin Rd., Tipton, Staffs.
Born: West Bromwich, Enlisted: Tipton, Resident: Unknown.

First landed France & Flanders, 14th July 1915.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the Tipton Library Memorial.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/807957/

Genealogical Data

Birth of John Alexander Palmer registered March quarter 1894 in West Bromwich. Mother's maiden name was Harvey.

1901 Census
3 Pleasant Street, West Bromwich, Staffs.
Thomas Palmer (40, Canal Boatman, born Wednesbury), his wife Hannah (35, born Wednesbury), and their 7 children: Florence (15, born Wednesbury), Thomas (9, born West Bromwich), John A. (7, born West Bromwich), Gertrude E. (5, born West Bromwich), Abel (3, born West Bromwich), Bessie (2, born West Bromwich), and Edward J. (1 month, born West Bromwich).

1911 Census
6 Martin Road, Tipton, Staffs.
Thomas Palmer (50, Butcher's Salesman, born Tipton), his wife Hannah (46, born Wednesbury), and 7 of their 8 surviving children of 11: Thomas (19, Butcher, born Hill Top, West Bromwich), John (17, Butcher, born Hill Top, West Bromwich), Gertrude Elsie (15, At Home, born Hill Top, West Bromwich), Abel (13, Errand Boy, born Hill Top, West Bromwich), Bessie (12, School, born Black Lake, West Bromwich), Edward James Squire (10, born Hill Top, West Bromwich), and Joseph Frederick (7, School, born Ocker Hill).

Personal Data

After John's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £3/10/8d (3 pounds, 11 shillings and 8 pence); this was paid to his mother and sole legatee, Hannah, in October 1917. His War Gratuity was £8/10/0d (8 pounds and 10 shillings), this was also paid to his mother in December 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that John had enlisted in approximately August 1914.

John's mother, Mrs Hannah Palmer, was granted a Dependant's Pension. This is confusingly shown as 5/0d (5 shillings) per week from 7th August 1917, but 10/0d (10 shillings) per week from 31st July 1917; from the subsequent clerical entries on the card, it would seem 10 shillings was paid. Her address at this time was 15 Martin Road, Tipton, Staffs.

Action resulting in his death

The 8th Battalion South Staffs, in 17th (Northern) Division, did not attack on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July, but came into action the next day when they attacked and took Fricourt. This is commemorated in Fricourt by the naming of "Rue du Major Raper" after the senior officer who lead the attack. Following the success of capturing Fricourt, the advance continued slowly northwards towards Contalmaison, with numerous attacks on Quadrangle Support, just south of Contalmaison.

On the 10th July, the 8th South Staffs made the eighth attack on Quadrangle Support. This was at first successful, but they were compelled to withdraw after 3 costly hours due to the lack of progress on their flanks. However, during the evening, the Germans were seen to withdraw and Quadrangle Support was occupied by the 10th Sherwood Foresters, with the weakened South Staffs now in support.

The attack had been costly, with 56 South Staffs men being killed on the day, amongst them Tipton men John Palmer, Thomas Berrow and Cecil Foster. None of the three has a known grave, and are all commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

Newspaper Cuttings

None.