Palmer, Arthur James, 153, Police Constable.

Early Life.

Arthur James Palmer was born on the 19^th March 1917 at Haddenham, Cambridgeshire and baptised on the 20^th May 1917 at Holy Trinity Church, Haddenham. At that time, the family were living at the Cherry Tree Inn, Duck Lane, Haddenham and Arthur’s father, also called Arthur, was shown as a butcher.

His father was born on the 5^th January 1884 at Ely and married his mother, Alice Louise Speed, who was born on the 22^nd October 1885 at Stowmarket, in 1909 at Haddenham. They had nine children all born in Haddenham:

1. George Richard Palmer born 17^th November 1910.
2. Florence Louise born 15^th June 1913.
3. Arthur Palmer born 1914 died 1916 at Cambridge.
4. Arthur James Palmer.
5. Mabel Margaret Palmer born 28^th December 1918.
6. Robert Ernest Palmer born 27^th August 1920.
7. Peter Palmer born 30^th April 1924.
8. William Palmer born 8^th April 1926.
9. Brian Palmer born 12^th March 1931.

In the 1911 census the family were living at West End Haddenham Cambridgeshire and Arthur senior was a butcher and publican. In the 1939 register the family were living at Mountain Ash, Haddenham and Arthur senior was recorded as a Master Butcher.

Arthur James Palmer’s Police Service.

Arthur’s Police Service Record has not survived so his date of appointment to the Hertfordshire Constabulary is not known but from other sources we know he was Constable 153 of C Division Watford.

In the 1939 register Police Constable 153 Arthur J. Palmer was lodging with the Hill family at 38, Liverpool Road, Watford.

Arthur James Palmer’s Army Service.

Arthur’s Army Service Record is held by the Ministry of Defence, but we know from documents that are publicly available that he enlisted in the in the 34^th Signal Training Regiment, Royal Artillery as Gunner 14249912 after the outbreak of World War 2. By the time of his death he had been promoted to Lance Bombardier.

The War Office casualty list number 1058 dated the 13^th February 1943 reported that 14249912 Palmer U/L/Bdr. A.J. 34^th Signal Training Regiment, Royal Artillery had died on the 1^st February 1943.

His death certificate shows that Arthur James Palmer of Mountain Ash, Isle of Ely, Bombardier 14249912, Royal Artillery (Field) (Police Constable), died on the 1^st February 1943 at the Emergency Hospital, Whittingham, Lancashire from Meningococcal Meningitis.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission record shows: “In Memory of Lance Bombardier Arthur James Palmer 14249912, Royal Artillery who died on 1^st February 1943. Son of Arthur and Alice Louise Palmer, of Haddenham. Remembered with Honour Haddenham Cemetery.” He is buried in Row 8 Grave 26.
His Probate record shows that Arthur James Palmer of Mountain Ash, Haddenham, Cambridgeshire died on the 1^st February 1943 on War Service. His effects were left to his mother Alice Louise Palmer.

Obituary.

The Chief Constable regrets to inform all Ranks that Constable Arthur James Palmer 153 of “C” Division stationed at Eastbury died today 2^nd February 1943 (date is incorrect) whilst serving in the Royal Artillery. (Taken from 150 Years Policing in Watford District and Hertfordshire County).