Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Chief Stoker Henry Palmer, H.M.S. Blanche, Mentioned in Despatches for repairing damage to the boiler of the Kenia during the Juba River Expedition

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Juba River 1893 (H. Palmer, Sto., H.M.S. Blanche); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (Henry Palmer, Ch. Sto. H.M.S. Leander.) light contact marks and a little polished, otherwise very fine (2) £3,000-£4,000

A total of 41 clasps issued for Juba River 1893, 19 as single clasp medals and 22 with Witu August 1893 in addition.

Cornelius Palmer alias Henry Palmer was born at Plymouth on 10 December 1869. He joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on 7 January 1890, aged 20, a fisherman by trade. He joined Blanche on 30 December 1890, and was advanced to Stoker on 1 June 1891, remaining in this ship until 22 April 1894, during which period he took part in the Juba River expedition and was mentioned in the despatch from Lieutenant P. Vaughan Lewes, commanding the Naval Force landed from Blanche in the following terms:

‘I would wish most strongly to bring to the notice of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty George T. Carey, Engine Room Artificer, 3rd Class, official number 141,577, and Alfred White, Leading Stoker, official number 114,956, and the four Stokers [including Henry Palmer] who repaired damages to the boiler of the “Kenia” on the two occasions when she was completely broken down; and serious consequences might have ensued on the second occasion had we been compelled to remain where we were. This work was performed under the enemy’s fire, and I can honestly recommend them for some mark of their Lordships’ appreciation for the zeal and skill with which the work was done.’

Palmer thereafter served aboard a variety of ships, being advanced to Chief Stoker in February 1904 and awarded his L.S. & G.C. medal in February 1905, until ‘shore pensioned on 10 January 1912. He joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 24 February 1912, and was recalled for service on 2 August 1914 and served with the M.F.A. Zaria, Armed Patrol depot ship at Longhope (Scapa Flow) from 10 March 1915 to 28 February 1919. Entitlement to Great War medals has not been confirmed.

Sold with copied record of service.