Regiment: Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery
Service No: 44723
Date & place of birth: September 1884, in Tillington, Sussex
Date & place of death: 27 October 1914 (aged 30) in France
George was already in the army when war started; he was therefore among the first to go to battle and the second person from Petworth to be killed.
Family background
George Arthur Palmer was born in Tillington, the son of William (a gardener from Pulborough) and Sarah. By 1901 the family were living in the Shimmings; his father was a carter in the garden at Petworth House and George was a stable groom. He had four younger sisters, two of whom, Phyllis and Rhoda, were twins.
Military career
By 1911 George had enlisted in London and was in the 76th Battery, The Royal Field Artillery and was a saddler in Kirkee, India. When the war started, he joined the 117th Battery of the 26th Brigade and was posted to France.
Death and commemoration
Gunner George Palmer died of wounds on the 27 October 1914, aged 30 and is buried in Les Gonards Cemetery Versailles. He received the Victory, British medal and 14 Star medals. A note on the medal roll states: “Officer in Charge RFA Rees enquires re disposal of medals 1 January 1921.”