Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Palmer, an agricultural labourer, born 1843 in Hose, Leicestershire and his wife Eliza Palmer (nee Tinsley, married in the 4th quarter of 1873 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1852 in Long Clawson, Leicestershire. Samuel James was born in the 2nd quarter of 1880 in Hose, his siblings were, Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born 1872 and Sarah Jane, a schoolgirl, born 1875, the latter two siblings were both born in Long Clawson, John Henry, a schoolboy, born 1875 and Esther, born 1878, the latter two siblings were both born in Hose, in April 1881 the family home was in Hose. In April 1891 Samuel was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Hose together with his father a railway labourer, his mother and siblings, John, Esther, Mary Ann, a schoolgirl, born 1882, George William, a schoolboy, born in the 1st quarter of 1885 and Joseph, born 1888, the latter three siblings were all born in Hose. In March 1901 Samuel was absent from the family home at The Vicarage, Hose, residing there was his father, a cottager, his mother and siblings, George, a farm worker, Joseph, a farm worker, William, born 1894 and Eliza Ann, born 1899, the latter two siblings were both born in Hose, Samuel was employed as a general labourer and was residing as a boarder at 48, Littleton Street, Leicester. In the 4th quarter of 1906 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district, Samuel’s father died aged 63. In April 1911 Samuel was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Blidworth, Nottinghamshire, together with his wife Florence Elizabeth Palmer (nee Brookes, married in the 2nd quarter of 1903 in the Leicester district), born 1881 in Leicester and their children, Thomas Samuel James, born 1903, John William, born 1905 and Florence Louisa, born 1907, the latter three children were all born in Leicester, and Esther, born 1910 in Ratcliffe, Nottinghamshire. Another child was born in 1914, Marjorie E. in Nottinghamshire. His younger brother George William also fell in action.
On Friday December 31st 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – HOSE - ANOTHER SOLDIER KILLED. Another soldier from this village has given his life for his country, Pte. Samuel Palmer, son of Mrs. Eliza Palmer, having fallen whilst serving with the Leicester Regiment. Pte. Palmer leaves a widow and five children, and is the second of Mrs. Palmer’s sons who has been killed. On the sad news being received the ringers at the Parish Church, rang a muffled peal on Sunday night. Much sympathy is expressed to the bereaved relatives.