Private Thomas Palmer

Thomas Palmer, son of Thomas and Margaret Palmer and husband of Gladys Palmer, of Newbold, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, enlisted into The Royal Scots Fusiliers and later volunteered for Airborne Forces.

Private Palmer successfully completed parachute training on course number 19 at RAF Ringway from 20 to 27 July 1942. He attended a further course, number 123, from 3 to 17 July 1944. His later course report stated ‘morale high, cheerful and reliable’. He was the posted to 8th (Midland) Parachute Battalion.

He took part in the 6th Airborne Division response to the German counter-offensive in the Ardennes, during Winter 1944-5.

Pte Palmer was killed in action on 8 January 1945, aged 29, and was buried in Aye Burial Ground, (Belgium) 14 kilometres from Hotton. He was later reinterred in Hotton War Cemetery on 22 May 1947.

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