TOPIC:

Tom Palmer was born at Locking, near Weston-super- mare, Somerset sometime in 1878, to parents George Palmer and Ellen (nee Drew).

The census of 1881 found the family living at Locking. The head of the household George was working as a labourer, so the family were living on the breadline and were certainly not wealthy in pecuniary terms. The family now comprised of both parents, Annie born in 1876, Tom (1878), Albert (1879), Ernest 1881).
By 1891 the family had moved to Axbridge and were joined by Bessie (1884), Frederick (1887), and Ada (1890).
At the time of the 1891 Census, Tom was away from the family home and working as a servant in the home of the Hardwick family at Congresbury, Somerset who were a landed farming family. Tom was 14 years old.

From our first introduction to Tom Palmer in his military career, we note the low regimental number 432 issued to him at his attestation to the Coldstream Guards on 9th March 1896 at the age of 18 years and 2 months. This was the beginning of seven years service with the Coldstreams.

As a guardsman of some three years standing, Tom found himself transported to South Africa with the rest of his comrades to participate in the Anglo Boer War for the British Empire against the two rebellious Boer Republics of The Transvaal and Orange Free State.
As his Queen's South Africa medal and CG Medal Rolls confirm he was present at the battles of Belmont and Modder River, the latter battle found the Coldstreams under the Mauser to a much greater extent than at Belmont (please see the unit information on this forum for greater detail).
Tom was also entitled to a third clasp to his QSA, that of Driefontein.
Tom's period of service in South Africa during the conflict lasted between 21st October 1899 until 25th June 1900. So after consulting the casualty lists, I can only assume that he may have fallen victim to the effects of enteric fever or some other ailment as he was not reported as wounded etc.

His military career ended with his discharge on 7th July 1903 when he was adjudged unfit for further duty due to flat feet.

Upon his return from active service in South Africa he was presented with his Queen's South Africa medal with three clasps by a grateful government and War Office.

His local community also recognised his service by the presentation of a silver cup engraved with a suitably worded epitaph engraved this: "Presented to Private T. Palmer by his friends for services in South Africa Campaign '.

Tom married Agnes Hewlett (born around 1884 in Banwell, Somerset) in 1902.

Tom died in 1927, aged just 49, at Axbridge in Somerset. Agnes long outlived her husband Tom, dying in 1979!


Queen's South Africa medal awarded to 432 Private Tom Palmer bearing clasps Belmont, Modder River and Driefontein.


Number, rank and naming to the rim of the medal.


Regimental naming to the rim.


Engraving to the presentation cup.

During my research, I have been unable to find any reference to the presentation of this commemorative cup to Tom Palmer. Maybe there were more awarded to Somerset men who served in South Africa?

As always, any further input from my learned fellow forummers would be very much appreciated.

1911 Census - Tom & Agnes were living in a 3 room abode, High St, Banwell, Somerset. Tom working as a "carter" in a stone quarry.

1921 Census - Tom & Agnes were living in a 4 room abode, West St, Banwell, Somerset. Tom still working at a stone quarry but now an "engine driver". Two children - Elsie aged 4 and Herbert aged 10 months

This is definitely Tom attending the funeral of a Crimean War veteran in Banwell, Weston Mercury 25 May 1901:



This could be a letter from Tom to his aunt & uncle, Weston Super Mare Gazette, 5 May 1900:

David,
Thank you for taking the time to make searches for Tom Palmer.
The letter to his auntie and uncle give me some hope, as the sender has signed off as Tom and not as a Thomas. Tom being the name given on his attestation document.
Cheers Steve

Steve - Re the letter - I was a bit worried about the sentence "I had the pleasure of seeing General Cronje and his prisoners to whom we acted as escorts." as Tom did not receive the Paardeburg clasp. However just found this in Lloyds Weekly Newspaper 11 March 1900:



Whoops looking at too many men at the same time - Tom was in the Coldstream Guards so please ignore the above submission, although it could be interpreted as saying the Tom Palmer who wrote the letter was not "your" Tom Palmer.

However, whoever wrote the letter their assessment of Mrs Cronje was pretty accurate: