Palmer, Henry John (Sergeant, b.1895 - d.1917); Palmer, Thomas Beales (Sapper, b.1896 - d.1961)

Collection relating to the service of 2003 Sergeant Henry John Palmer, 50 Battalion, First World War. Collection comprises letters and postcards written home to his mother and extended family in Haslam, South Australia, 1915-1917. Other correspondents include his brother 3893 Sapper Thomas Beales Palmer, 2 Australian Tunnelling Company. Palmer was killed in action at Polygon Wood, France, 27 September 1917.

The majority of the letters written by Palmer to his family describe and compare conditions in Egypt, Gallipoli, France and England. In August 1916 he was shot in the left knee at Pozieres and sent to York County Hospital in England to recuperate. He writes a number of reflective letters to his family about his experience at Pozieres and repeatedly urges his younger brother "Alby" not to enlist. Upon his recovery Palmer was stationed at Godford Camp, Salisbury Plains and comments favourably on conditions as opposed to being on the Front. He received Lewis machine gun training and writes he is "in hopes of remaining neutral till the end of winter". Palmer attended a School of Instuction, qualifying as a bombing instructor and was promoted to Corporal. Palmer writes about his likelyhood of returning to the front, "I hope I have the luck to get through again and get another trip to "Blighty"". He returned to France in April, where his battalion experienced heavy fighting. Palmer also wrote that he expected to receive a decoration, however this did not occur. He was promoted to Sergeant and killed in action at Polygon Wood, 27 September 1917.