Anthony Palmer (VC)

Anthony Palmer
Born10 March 1819
Brereton Green, Sandbach, Cheshire
Died12 December 1892 (aged 73)
Crumpsall Hospital, Crumpsall, Manchester
Buried
Heywood Cemetery, Rochdale
AllegianceUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Service / branch British Army
Years of service1838–1863
RankPrivate
(Later Captain of Volunteers)
UnitGrenadier Guards
Battles / warsCrimean War
AwardsVictoria Cross
Bentinck Medal for Gallantry

Anthony Palmer VC (10 March 1819 – 12 December 1892) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Career

Grenadier Guards

Palmer was about 35 years old, and a private in the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.[1]

Depiction of the Battle of Inkerman

On 5 November 1854 at the Battle of Inkerman, Crimea, Private Palmer, with two other men were the first to volunteer to go with Brevet Major Sir Charles Russell to dislodge a party of Russians from the Sandbag Battery. The attack succeeded. During this action Private Palmer shot down an assailant who was in the act of bayoneting Russell, and so saved his life.[2] He was also one of a small band which, by a desperate charge against overwhelming numbers, saved the Colours of the battalion from capture.[3]

5th (Plaistow and Victoria Docks) Essex Rifle Volunteer Corps

In 1874, Palmer was commissioned as a captain in the part-time 5th (Plaistow and Victoria Docks) Essex Rifle Volunteer Corps.[4]

Victoria Cross on display

Palmer's Victoria Cross is displayed at The Guards Regimental Headquarters (Grenadier Guards RHQ), Wellington Barracks, London, England.[5]

Notes

  1. ^ "The Battle of Inkerman, Russia 5 November 1854". vcgca.org. VCGCA Association. 5 November 1854. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Heywood street renamed after VC hero Pte Anthony Palmer". bbc.co.uk. British Broadcasting Company (BBC). 24 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  3. ^ "No. 21971". The London Gazette. 24 February 1857. p. 656.
  4. ^ "No. 24092". The London Gazette. 5 May 1874. p. 2404.
  5. ^ "Victoria Cross recipients from Rochdale borough". rochdale.gov.uk. Rochdale Borough Council. 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.

References

Media related to Anthony Palmer at Wikimedia Commons