WILLIAM PALMER

 DEATH OF MR. WILLIAM PALMER SAILED ROUND WORLD WITH LATE KING GEORGE

The death took place on May 3', at the age of 81 years of Mr. William Palmer, of 2, Park Terrace, Newbury. Mr. Palmer worked for Messrs Plenty and Son for 40 years as a blacksmith and wire rope splicer, and before that served for 12 years in the Navy in the same ship as the late King George V, who as Prince George was a midshipman on H.M. S. "Bacchante". A fellow "middy" of the Prince's was the late Duke of Clarence. In 1876-1882 the "Bacchante" sailed round the world and Mr. Palmer used to tell of the time the ship encountered a terrible storm, in which her rudder was damaged and she lost contact with the rest of the fleet and eventually struggled into Albany in Western Australia after having to burn furniture to keep the boilers going. They lost their life-boats and put the main yard over the side to act as a rudder. Mr. Palmer was in Prince George's division, and the Prince often chatted with him and joined in all the sports and games aboard.

Mr. Palmer leaves one brother, Mr. James Palmer aged 99, who lives at Beedon.

The funeral took place at the Parish Church, Newbury, the Rev. A.A.H. Radice officiating. The interment was at the Newtown Road Cemetery, in the same grave as his wife. The family mourners were Mrs Barrett, Mrs Fox, Mrs. W. Hockings. (daughters); Mr. Robert Palmer, Mr. Victor Palmer (sons); Mr. W. Hockings, Mr. C. Barrett (sons in law), Mrs K. Palmer, Mrs. Robert Palmer (daughters-in-law); Mrs Annetts, Mrs D. Smith (nieces); Mr. Samuel Hockings.

Newbury Weekly News 15 May 1941

Mrs Palmer p.142 LS(D)18 Died 3 May 1941 aged 81

Also Sarah Jane Palmer died 25 November 1918 aged 54 and Victor D. Palmer died 26 February 1945 aged 47