Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Grave: | Foncquevillers Military Cemetery | I. B. 4. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.131 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 23C/50C GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Family :
Son of Charles and Mary Ann Palmer, of Market Harborough.Siblings:
Ernest William Palmer brother 1877
Annie Palmer sister 1867
Mary Lizzie Palmer sister 1869
William White Palmer brother 1871
Frank Thomas Palmer brother 1873
Frederick Charles Palmer brother 1875
Leonard Palmer brother 1879
Education & Career :
After leaving school he was apprenticed to the building trade and then joined the old Harborough (M) Co of Volunteers with his two brothers.
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 153rd Company |
| Action : France & Flanders |
France & Flanders covers all the dates and corresponding locations which are outside the official battle nomenclature dates on the Western Front. Therefore the actions in which these men died could be considered 'normal' trench duty - the daily attrition losses which were an everyday fact of duty on the Western Front.
When war was declared on Germany, Lieut Palmer, who was a Freemason, proved himself a true Englishman, for he immediately returned to his Mother Country, paying his own travelling expenses from Northern Rhodesia.
He re-enlisted with the Royal Engineers, was soon given an officer’s commission and ‘during his time at Front he saw plenty of fighting’.
Detail :
Killed by a sniper:
A letter from his captain to Geoffrey’s parents describes how he died:
“He was out on duty with the Colonel. The weather was misty and as the trenches were in a deplorable condition owing to the recent rains, they both got over the parapet of a communication trench to avoid the mud and water a bit. “Palmer was hit (evidently by a sniper) under the right shoulder blade, the bullet penetrated the heart and came out near the left breast. Death must have been instantaneous, poor chap." “It was typical of Geoff. He saw no fear, no danger. He was an excellent example to those under him at all by his fearlessness and cheerfulness.”
His death was reported in the Leicester Journal 26th November, 1915: "OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED. Information has been received at Market Harborough to the effect that Second-Lieutenant Geoffrey Palmer, R.E., son of Mr. and Mrs Charles Palmer, of Logan-street, Market Harborough, has been killed in action..."
His portrait image is sourced from Paul Hughes and can be found on ww1photos.org and on Find-a-grave.
Probate PALMER Geoffrey of Rhenas House of 91 Logan-street Market Harborough Leicestershire temporary 2nd lieutenant Royal Engineers died 19 November 1915 at Fonquevillers France killed in action Probate Leicester 4 February to Ernest William Palmer builder. Effects £289 1s. 8d."
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Brownrigg Lodge of Unity No. 1424 E.C. | East Kent |
| Joined : | Civil Service No. 3118 E.C. | South Africa (Northern) |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
2nd February 1910 | 2nd March 1910 | 31st March 1910 |
Initiated into Brownrigg Lodge of Unity No. 1424, in 1910. He is listed in the lodge as a 28 year old Corporal of the Royal Engineers, resident at Brompton, Berkshire. The contribution register shows that he was a member at the time of his death. His line is closed out "Died 19th Nov/15."
He joined Civil Service Lodge No. 3118 on 20th April, 1911. The contribution register shows "Died 19.11.15."
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley