Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the only son of Samuel and his wife Mary (widow of Samuel Robey). Tom was educated at the Intermediate School, Loughborough, Leicestershire, and on leaving was employed as a Hosiery Factory Overlooker. He joined the Liverpool Scottish on the 22nd May 1916 and served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from the 23rd February 1917, he was employed as a stretcher bearer, and was killed in action at Don, north west of La Bassee on the 4th October 1918. His Officer Commanding wrote, “He, in company with others who fell in action, was in no little measure responsible for the fine success of the Battalion during the action.” And his Captain wrote, “Private Palmer had gone out into the fire swept zone with a stretcher to rescue a wounded man, and was killed instantaneously… It was a very brave action and I have recommended him for a decoration. He will be a great loss to the company, as he was always cheery, willing, and an excellent stretcher bearer. It is very hard to fill the place of such men.” His Lieutenant also wrote, “Machine gun bullets were sweeping all over the position, but Private Palmer never hesitated for a moment. He reached the wounded man, bound and dressed his wounds. Palmer’s position became very serious and perilous, as he was in full view of the enemy. The air was ringing with bullets, but Tom calmly picked up his stretcher, and was killed by a bullet in the neck.” Tom was unmarried.