Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Palmer, a farmer, born 1852 in Hemington, Leics., and his wife Eleanor Sowter Palmer (nee Harris, married 1881), born 1853 in Diseworth, Leics. William was born in 1890 in Chellaston, Derbys., his siblings were, John T., born 1883 in Diseworth, Leics., Samuel Harry, born 1884 in Castle Donington, Leics. and Lucy H., born 1888 in Chellaston, Derbys, also residing with the family was his cousin, Harry Mercer, born 1868, in April 1891 the family home was at Green Lane, Chellaston, Derbys, this being in the ecclesiastical parish of Littleover St. Peter. In March 1901 William was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Back lane, Chellaston, Derbys., together with his parents and siblings, John J., Samuel, Lucy, Eleanor, born 1892, Albert, born 1894, Bernard, born 1896 and Peter J., born 1899, the latter four siblings were all born in Chellaston, Derbys. In April 1911 William was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Scaffacre, Diseworth, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Bernard, a farm cowman and Eleanor. In the St. Peter’s Churchyard, Chellaston William is commemorated on a family grave as follows, “In affectionate remembrance of Bernard, the beloved son of William and Eleanor Palmer, at rest February 16th 1919, aged 23 years. Also of William, their beloved son who died at Military Hospital, Goulbourne, NSW, May 7th 1916, aged 26 years. Also their mother Eleanor, at rest August 13th 1926, aged 68 years. Also William their father, at rest February 7th 1942, aged 90 years.” Wiliam attested into the Australian Imperial Force on the 2nd January 1916, he gave his place of birth as Chellaston, Derbyshire, England, his age as 26 years and 4 months and his trade or calling as farmer, of Thuddungra Young, New South Wales, Australia. He stated that he was unmarried and gave his next of kin as his father, William Palmer of Diseworth, Derby, England. He underwent a medical examination at Cootamundra, New South Wales on the 2nd February 1916 and he was recorded as being 5 foot 5 inches in height, having a chest measurement of 37 inches and weighed 154 pounds, he had grey eyes and brown hair, his complexion was described as medium, he gave his religion as Church of England. His oath of enlistment was signed on Wednesday 16th February 1916 in Cootamundra, New South Wales and he was posted as a Private with the service number 396(1529) to the 48th Battalion Australian Infantry, “B” Company. On the 1st April 1916 he was posted to 1st Battalion Australian Infantry, “B” Company at Cootamundra, New South Wales. On the 29th April 1916 he was posted to the 3rd Reinforcements, 56th Battalion Australian Infantry. William died of pneumonia and cardiac failure in the Goulburn District Hospital, Goulburn, New South Wales on the 6th May 1916, and was buried in the Church of England Cemetery, Goulburn, New South Wales, on the 8th May 1916. William had emigrated to Australia to join Robert E. Adkin who had been farming for five years in Grenfell, New South Wales, Robert had advanced a loan to William in order that he could purchase his own farm, which he sold prior to enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force. After William’s death, Robert, who had suffered an accident, and was crippled, and had returned to England just before the outbreak of war, and where he was now residing at Breedon Lodge, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, wrote to the Australian authorities making a claim on the estate of the late William Palmer in a letter dated the 7th June 1916. The response to this claim by the Commonwealth Military Forces, Pay Department, Victoria Barracks, Sydney, was to the effect that military records showed that William had not deposited a will, and that any claim must be dealt with by the Public Trustees in Sydney, where all the relevant documentation was forwarded.