Thomas Palmer

Medals are shown left to right, as per the bullet point list above.

Thomas Palmer joined the regiment in 1831, aged 16. He was steadily promoted until reaching the rank of Honorary Captain in 1860.

Thomas Palmer, shown wearing his Crimean and Turkish Crimean medals, now on display in the museum.

Palmer served throughout the Crimean Campaign, landing on 14th September 1854. He received the three clasps for the battles in which the regiment was involved – Alma, Inkerman and Sebastopol. He was also present at the storming of the Redan on 8th September 1855.

Palmer’s rise through the ranks was impressive. He was made Corporal in under two years, promoted to Sergeant within three years and later the same year on 29th November 1836 to Colour Sergeant. There was one Colour Sergeant per company; their rank denoted by crowned colours above the three chevrons.

Colour Sergeants were responsible for the administration of their companies and were senior to the other three Sergeants in that sub unit. Nine years later he was again promoted Quartermaster Sergeant. On 21st April 1854 he was made Quartermaster and became Paymaster in December of the following year. As such he was responsible for the pay for the soldiers, as well as their billeting when the unit was on the march. At that time, soldiers had to pay sixpence from their daily pay for food and accommodation.

Palmer died in 1867 of apoplexy (heat stroke) on active service in Nowshera, in Peshawar, now Pakistan.