Forename: Cyril
Surname: Palmer
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment: Royal Artillery
Institution: St Paul’s Practising School
Cyril Palmer was born on Christmas Day 1912. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Charles Palmer, and lived at 37 Swindon Street, later moving to 5 Clarence Square, Cheltenham. He was educated at St Paul’s Practising School from July 1921 to September 1923, then won a scholarship to Cheltenham Grammar School from 1923 to 1931. On leaving school became an apprentice to a pharmaceutical chemist.
He volunteered for active service in 1942 receiving a commission with the 2nd Air Landing Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Artillery. Lieutenant Palmer was attached to the ill-fated airborne attack in Arnhem in Holland. He was killed in action on 19 September 1944, aged 32. He is buried at Tonsberg Old Cemetery. The headstone reads “Life and Goodness are immortal”. His name appears on the Borough of Cheltenham War Memorial and in the Roll of Honour preserved at Cheltenham Grammar School. He left a widow Thelma Palmer.