Born at Chester on the 22nd of May 1832, the son of Sir William Henry Roger Palmer of Castle Lackin, Co. Mayo, and his wife, Eleanor, daughter of John Matthews, Esq, of Eyarth and Plas Bostock, Derbyshire.
1841 Census
St George Hanover Square, Westminster.
Sir Roger Palmer [father], aged 35.
Lady Palmer, 35.
Ellen, 12.
Roger, 9.
Twelve servants are also shown.
Matriculated at Christ Church College, Oxford, on the 23rd of May 1850.
[https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/8942/RDUK1500_0003-0259]
Cornet in the 11th Hussars: 22nd of January 1853.
Lieutenant: 4th of September 1854.
Roger Palmer later related the following incident that occurred at the time of the Charge:
"A few nights before Balaclava I was Orderly Officer and going round the sentries at night, I found Private Jowett (afterwards Sergeant-Major in the 18th Hussars) sitting down (and I am afraid) asleep at his post. I did not like to confine him as I knew he would most certainly be flogged.
Whilst I was thinking, the Orderly Sergeant-Major [ 908, Joseph Pickles, 11th Hussars ] said to me in a very loud and dictatorial tone of voice, "You must confine that man, Sir, or the Colonel will be very angry."
This determined me, so I turned round on the Sergeant-Major, and said, "What the devil do you mean by speaking to me in that manner. If you say another word, I shall put you under arrest for insolence to your superior officer."
So after cautioning Jowett not to sit down on his post again, I left him...
A few days after this occurrence the battle of Balaclava took place, and in the evening after, I was sitting talking to Lieutenant (later Colonel) Dunn, V.C. and he said to me, 'You had a very near shave of it today, old fellow, as we were rallying after the first halt. A Russian came up behind you and put his carbine very close to your head. You did not see him, but Private Jowett charged and cut him down.'
I then remarked to Dunn, 'Lucky for me I saved him from getting flogged the other day, otherwise he might not have been in such a hurry to save my life at that time.'"
[PB: According to Roy Dutton (Forgotten Heroes, p152) and Terry Brighton (Hell Riders, p165), Lieutenant Colonel Douglas recollected an an almost comical interchange with Palmer during the Charge. After they had reached the guns, what was left of the 11th rallied near Douglas. But unknown to Douglas, Russian Cavalry had closed in behind them:
"I saw in our rear two squadrons of Lancers drawn up. I instantly proclaimed, 'They're the 17th, let us rally on them'. At that very moment Lieutenant Roger Palmer rode up and said, 'I beg your pardon, Colonel, that is not the 17th, that is the enemy.' Well, I exclaimed, 'We must only retire and go through them". So with the 4th Light Dragoons we charged the Russian Lancers and got past them with few casualties'."
[Neither Dutton nor Brighton give a source, and their phrasing varies slightly.]
See also the record of 1304, Trumpeter William Perkins, 11th Hussars.]
Lieutenant in the 2nd Life Guards: 15th of January 1856.
Captain: 22nd of July 1859.
1861 Census
56 Portland Place, Marylebone.
Roger W.H. Palmer, aged 28, Capt in the Army, born Chester.
He was living with his widowed father, "Wm Palmer, 58, Bart Landholder".
Four family members, a medical adviser and 18 servants are also shown.
Major and Lieutenant-Colonel: 8th of March 1864.
Brevet-Colonel: 8th of March 1869.
He became the 5th Baronet in 1869, following the death of his father.
On to half-pay: 3rd of September 1870.
Major-General: 15th of March 1879.
1881 Census
Cefn Hall, Abenbury Fawr, Denbighshire.
Roger Wm Henry Palmer, 48, Baronet, Major General and Magistrate, born Chester.
Two visitors and 11 servants (including a Butler, Valet and Housekeeper) are also shown.
On the 1st of February 1883, he married, at St. James's, Piccadilly, London, Millicent, daughter of the Revd. Plummer Rott Rooper, the Vicar of Abbotts Ripton, Huntingdonshire.
Marriage registered
Roger William H Palmer married Gertrude Millicent Rooper, March Quarter 1883, Westminster.
1891 Census
Cefn Hall, Abenbury Fawr, Wrexham, Denbighshire.
Roger Wm Henry Palmer, 58, Retired Soldier, General Army, born Chester.
Gertrude M Palmer, 30, born Abbots Ripton, Hunts.
Two visitors and 18 servants are also shown.
Honorary Lieutenant-General: 1st of July 1891.
Colonel of the 20th Hussars: 11th of July 1891.
Deputy-Lieutenant for Co. Sligo, J.P. for Co. Cork, Berkshire, Denbighshire, and County Mayo.
Lieutenant Palmer served the Eastern campaign of 1854 and up to the 26th of August 1855, including the affair of the Bulganak, battles of the Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and the Siege of Sebastopol. (Medal and Clasps and the Turkish Medal.)
1901 Census
Cefn Hall, Abenbury Fawr, Wrexham.
Roger William Henry Palmer, 68, Lieut.General Army Off., born Chester.
Gertrude Millicent Palmer, 40, Abbots Ripton, Hunts.
Two visitors and 25 servants are also shown.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, Sebastopol and the Turkish Medal.
Roger Palmer died at Cefn Park, Wrexham, on the 30th of May 1910, and was buried in the family vault in the churchyard of the Wrexham Parish Church of St. Giles.
Deaths registered
Roger William H Palmer, aged 78, June Quarter 1910, Wrexham.
Gertrude M Palmer, aged 69, December Quarter 1929, Wrexham.
The only inscription on the vault is "Entrance to Cefn Vault." One of the windows inside the church is dedicated to his memory.
In the choir, opposite the magnificent monument to Sir Foster Cunliffe, of Acton Park, who died in 1834, and of his wife Harriet (daughter of Sir David Kinlock, Bart.), who died in 1830, is an exquisite white marble memorial tablet, inscribed with gold letters, to the memory of Mary Ellen, wife of Archibald Peel, and daughter of Sir Roger and Lady Palmer, who died in 1863.
Following his death, as he had no heir, the baronetcy became extinct.
From the Wrexham Herald, 4th of June 1910:
"Death of Sir Roger Palmer, Bart"
A Crimean Veteran who took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade.
We regret to record the death of Lieutenant-General Sir Roger William Henry Palmer, Bart., who passed away at Cefn Park at noon on Monday.
The late general had been in ill-health for several months past. A few days ago he had a paralytic seizure, after which his condition became much worse.
He was attended by both Dr. Richard Williams and Dr. Godfrey Williams of Wrexham, whose skill and devotion were, however, unavailing, and the venerable patient passed away as stated...
Sir Roger, who celebrated his 79th birthday on Sunday, May 22nd, was the son of Sir William Henry Roger Palmer, Bart, the fifth baronet, the baronetcy being created in Ireland in 1777.
The family of Palmer of Castle Lackin, goes back to Charles the Second, when Roger Palmer of Nayton, Norfolk, went to Ireland, and had the grant of Castle Lackin and other lands in County Mayo made over by Royal Patent.
The deceased's father became acquainted with the district through his marriage to Eleanor Matthews, the daughter of John Matthews of Egarth and Plas Bostock, Denbighshire. They later resided at Cefn Park, the estate being purchased from the Revd. Nathanial Roberts.
Sir Roger, the only son, was born on May 22nd 1832, and he succeeded his father in 1867.
He was educated at Eton, and he afterwards entered the Army, taking part in the memorable Charge of the Light Brigade at the age of twenty-two. He was then a Lieutenant in the 11th Hussars.
He was fifty-one years of age before he married his wife, the present Lady Palmer being a Miss Millicent Plumer Rooper, daughter of the Revd. Plumer Rooper, of Abbots Ripton, Huntingdonshire. The marriage took place on the 1st of February 1883, at St. James's Church, Piccadilly, by special licence, the ceremony being performed by the Revd. William Chandos Pole. There is no heir to the baronetcy, which thus lapses.
The late Sir Roger was an extensive land-owner, owning some 115,000 acres.
His principal residence was Kenure Park, Rush, Co. Dublin, but Cefn Park was his favourite place of abode, and in recent years he had spent a large part of his time here.
In addition, he had residences at Kenagh, Crossmolina, R.S.O. Co. Mayo, Glenisland, near Maidenhead, and a town residence at No. 4 William Street, Lowndes Square, London. He was a member of the Royal St. George Yacht Club, also of the Carlton and Arthur's Clubs.
The inscription under the family arms is 'Sic Bene Merenti Palma' (the palm thus to the well-deserving).
Chief interest in the late Sir Roger lay in his military career, and although he had been so long at Cefn Park he never took part on any local affairs, although he was a familiar figure on the streets of Wrexham.
His only public office locally was as a County Magistrate in the Bromfield Division. He was appointed on May 21st 1883, but seldom occupied a seat on the Bench.
Several local residents of the town had his friendship, and he was much interested in Mr. E.M. Jones, of Regis Place, and Mr. John Haughton, of Saxon Street, Sir Roger calling on him some months ago and presenting him with a walking-stick as a birthday present.
When at Cefn, Sir Roger and Lady Palmer regularly attended Abenbury Church, taking a great interest in its welfare while they were equally solicitous for the welfare of the Catholic church and schools at their Irish residence.
Sir Roger was a great walker and before the railways became so common as they are now, he often walked from Holyhead to Wrexham when coming from Kenure Park to Cefn.
He was also fond of boating, and frequently visited his Maidenhead home from Cefn, and travelling via the canals in a small motor-boat. He had a house-boat on the Broads and the Thames. Sir Roger Palmer was an enthusiastic sportsman, but his favourite occupation was yachting. He was the owner of a considerable number of yachts. For nine years he was the vice-chairman of the Thames Conservancy Board.
It is interesting to note that Sir Roger's old charger from Balaclava was brought to Cefn Park, where it died a natural death after escaping with its owner from the shot and shell of the Valley of Death.
The animal was the admiration of many visitors to Cefn, who made a point when taking a walk near the park to endeavour to see this famous old charger.
Many years ago a Baptist minister in Wrexham wrote a few verses on the old horse and the part it took in the Charge of the Light Brigade. When the animal died, his hoofs were mounted in gold, and are very greatly treasured by the family.
[See my letter to Cefn Park, below.]
Sir Roger's public work has taken place chiefly in Ireland. From 1857 to 1865 he represented Co. Mayo in the House of Commons as a Conservative, and at the time of his death was a Deputy-Lieutenant for Co. Sligo.
In 1875 he was High Sheriff of County Dublin and in 1888 had occupied a similar position in Co. Mayo. In addition he was a J.P. for Co. Mayo, also in Berkshire, as well as in Denbighshire.
To celebrate the silver wedding of Sir Roger and Lady Palmer festivities took part at Kinure Park in July of 1908, and as an indication of the regard Sir Roger had for his Irish tenantry, and the manner in which it was reprociated was forthcoming in the following report we then made of the event...
'The little town of Rush, near the residence of Lord and Lady Palmer, Kenure Park, Co. Dublin, was en fete last week, on the occasion of a presentation to Lady Palmer to celebrate the silver jubilee of her marriage.
[WHERE DOES QUOTE END?]
The presentation, which consisted of a beautifully illuminated address, was arranged by the Young Men's Reading Club, and was subscribed for the inhabitants generally. The Town Hall was crowded to its utmost capacity, and was beautifully decorated for the occasion.
The Revd. L. O'Brien, P.P. in asking Lady Palmer's acceptance of the present, said the people of Rush were under a deep obligation to Sir Roger and Lady Palmer, for they were constantly doing good.
Amongst other good works they had got across the street a hospital for the sick poor, which had done an incalculable amount of good for the people of the districts all around.
Their works of charity had also extended to the churches and schools. They had got a site in fee for their beautiful new church, which was for the benefit of the town, while as soon as they mentioned a school was necessary for the girls of Rush, Sir Roger at once bestowed a free site. Many other noble works of charity had also been done by him.
In reply, Sir Roger asked the audience to accept his most sincere thanks for the way in which Father O'Brien had spoken about Lady Palmer and himself.
Ever since he came to Rush for the first time, in the days when there was no railway station, he had received tokens of good will from the people, for which he was afraid he would never be able sufficiently to thank them.
So touched was he at the kindness he received at the hands of the people of Rush that he had made it his home, and it was his desire in life to keep up the friendly feelings between him and the Rush people.
He was getting to be an old man now, and his days were nearly at an end, but he would leave the friendship of the people of Rush to his wife, and she would value it as much as he did, a fact they all knew well. (Applause.)
Lady Palmer said she was very gratified and pleased to think that the re-opening of the club had been such a success. When it was first started she thought that some recreation was necessary for the people on the long winter evenings after their work...
Throughout the troublesome times for Irish landlords, Sir Roger Palmer had no difficulty with his three thousand tenants.
It used to be said that Sir Roger could ride a hundred miles without crossing any other estate but his own.
By the passing of Sir Roger the tenants will lose a considerate landlord, servants a considerate master, and many public institutions will lose a benevolent supporter.
Owing to the quiet and unostentatious manner in which the deceased performed his many acts of kindness and benevolence the ordinary man in the street seldom heard of them, but more than one old servant has been provided with a pension with which to pass the evening of their lives in comfort, whilst Sir Roger's support for public institutions, notably hospitals, convalescent homes, sanatoria, etc., has been very extensive.
For a large number of years the Wrexham Infirmary has received a donation of £200 from Sir Roger.
Sir Roger mentioned in Kinglake's History. — Sir Roger Palmer's participation in the famous battle of Balaclava will be preserved for all time by the fact that Kinglake mentions him on three occasions in his "Invasion of the Crimea, " the official history of the war.
The following is quoted from his description of what took place after the charge:
'The Russians, who stood gathered in the most immediate proximity to the 11th Hussars, were a confused number, including, it seems, artillerymen and cavalry.
They were, in a state of apparent helplessness, and one of their officers, not disguised, as usual in the grey outer-coat of the soldiers, but wearing the epaulettes of a full-colonel, came up, bare-headed, to the stirrup of Lieutenant Roger Palmer and voluntarily handed over his sword to him.
Palmer handed over his sword to a corporal or sergeant at his side, and did not, of course, molest the disarmed officer, although the condition of things was not such as to allow the taking and securing of prisoners...'
In another chapter, describing the battle, in which the 11th Hussars and the 4th Light Dragoons, after retreating, suddenly stopped and faced their pursuers, and thereby checked the Russians.
It is recorded:
'But during the very moments that were occupied by this operation of fronting towards the pursuers, it was becoming known to our officers and men that the enemy had interposed a fresh body of cavalry in a new, and indeed, opposite quarter.
Roger Palmer, that young Lieutenant of the 11th Hussars to whom the Russian Colonel had given his sword, — was singularly gifted with long sight, and casting his glance towards our left rear, he saw in that direction, but at a distance of several hundred yards, a considerable body of cavalry, which he assured himself must be Russian.
He reported this to his chief, Colonel Douglas, who at first scarce believed that the squadron thus observed could be Russian; and it being perceptible that the force consisted of Lancers, men were able, for a little while, to indulge in a pleasant surprise, and to imagine the Lancers described in our rear, at a distance of several hundred yards, must be our own 'Seventeenth.'
Presently however, Roger Palmer convinced Colonel Douglas that the headgear of the cavalry so described, was Russian; and in another moment, all doubt was at an end, for our officers and men could now see that the newly-interposed troops were formed up across the slope of the valley, with a front towards the Russian rear, as though barring the retreat of our people.
So, there then being certain knowledge that the English were between two powerful bodies of Russian cavalry, it became necessary in the very next moments in determining how to meet the emergency.
Proceeding to describe the manner in which the Dragoons and the Hussars forced their way out of this, the account is continued:
'Lieutenant Roger Palmer, for one, became engaged at this point, in what can be called a personal combat.
This brief combat ended however, as did all the other collisions, in the failure of every attempt to cut off the English, and without receiving much harm in the course of this singular traverse, our people got past.
It is possible that men might have been unhorsed and killed by the Russian Lancers without it becoming known that the deaths were so occasioned, but my impression is that few such casualties resulted from this encounter.
Noble action requited. Remarkable story. The personal combat referred to by Kinglake might have ended in the death of Lieutenant Palmer but for a thrilling episode which although not officially recorded, is nevertheless true.
On the eve of the battle, Lieutenant Palmer found a sentry asleep at his post, a neglect of duty sufficient to meet with the punishment of death. Lieutenant Palmer, however, could not resist the earnestness of the appeal made to him to overlook the dereliction of duty, and the sentry was pardoned.
Next day came the Balaclava Charge, and the sentry was able to requite Lieutenant Palmer's action in a manner which earned for him the grateful appreciation and consideration of Sir Roger for the rest of his life.
By a dextrous feint, the Russian had Lieutenant Palmer at his mercy, and was about to place his sword into his body, when the pardoned sentry rushed up and placed the Russian hors de combat.
The sentry was a Private Jowett, and he survived the war. He died about ten years ago. Sir Roger often called on him, and no doubt they both felt they owed their lives to each other.
Although Sir Roger was not wounded in the charge, he had some very narrow escapes.
One of his stirrup-leathers was shot away, and his busby formed an excellent mark for the enemy, this being shot off his head.
After escaping shot and shell, Lieutenant Palmer fell a victim to fever, and this brings to mind an interesting act of devotion on the part of his sister, the late Mrs. Archibald Peel. On hearing her brother was in hospital, Mrs. Peel immediately went out to the seat of war and nursed him into convalescence, and coming home with him when he was invalided.
It is interesting to recall that Mrs. Peel was a noted equestrian, and delighted to take in hand any ungovernable young horses at Cefn Park and make them amenable to bit and curb.
Sir Roger was also extremely fond of horses in his younger days, and whilst in the Life Guards he had the best horses in town.
The funeral takes place at Wrexham Parish Church at three o'clock this (Friday) afternoon.
Morbid Curiosity. — Conduct of a gruesome character has been witnessed in the grave-yard of Wrexham Parish Church this week, and testifies to the morbid curiosity of some people.
The cause of this was the opening of the vault in which will be interred the remains of the late Sir Roger Palmer.
The vault was opened on Tuesday, and during the day a very large number of people were allowed to enter the vault and look round the numerous coffins said to be there.
We were pleased to observe that a notice was placed on the gates leading to the church on Wednesday to the effect that the gates would be closed except at the times of divine service, until after the funeral.
[RP's horse is not named above. I have since learnt that he was called "Bob". Add a link to the page on horses that charged.]
[PB, 26.6.13: I emailed Cefn Park, and received a most helpful reply.]
Hello
I wonder if you could help.
I am editing a website devoted to the Light Brigade in the Crimean War (www.chargeofthelightbrigade.com), in which Sir Roger was prominent, and came across this rather intriguing passage in the Wrexham Herald, 4th of June 1910:
"It is interesting to note that Sir Roger's old charger from Balaclava was brought to Cefn Park, where it died a natural death after escaping with its owner from the shot and shell of the Valley of Death.
The animal was the admiration of many visitors to Cefn, who made a point when taking a walk near the park to endeavour to see this famous old charger.
Many years ago a Baptist minister in Wrexham wrote a few verses on the old horse and the part it took in the Charge of the Light Brigade. When the animal died, his hoofs were mounted in gold, and are very greatly treasured by the family."
I wonder if you have any further information about this horse — its name, whether its hoofs are still in the house, or whether there is a grave or monument in the grounds?
And more generally, do you have much on Sir Roger in the Crimea?
etc...
From: "Archie Graham-Palmer" [email address]
Date: 3 July 2013
Subject: Cefn Park — Charge of the Light Brigade
Philip Boys,
Thank you for your enquiry.
Sir Roger Palmer died in 1910, which maybe why this appeared in the Wrexham Herald then. I am not sure when the horse died. However, his name was Bob, we have one hoof mounted in silver (if there are more in gold I would love to know), the bit and spurs used, plus the sabretache (spelling?) and other bits and pieces belonging to Sir Roger. I imagine there is a grave but I do not know where it might be.
The diaries of his sister Ellen were also discovered in the house and are being written up at the moment. In these are details of her visit to the crimea to visit her brother. She also met her husband here; Archibald Peel. If you would like to contact me again later in the year I may have more information on the publication of the book.
Regards
Archie Graham-Palmer
Cefn Park
Wrexham LL13 9TT
Collecting to link us with time gone by
The preserved hoof of a horse that survived the charge of the light brigade is likewise not visible to the public for much of the year.
It is owned by Archie Graham-Palmer, who lives in Cefn Park, a historic house near the outskirts of Wrexham and belonged to a horse ridden by his ancestor Sir Roger Palmer.
Recounting the story, Mr Graham-Palmer told how Sir Roger escaped by the skin of his teeth after charging head-first into an artillery battery.
He said: "The only reason he survived was because, once he got past the Russian guns, the Russian officer assumed it was all over and the British had won.
"He handed Sir Roger his sword. In all the confusion of dust and gunfire, the officer hadn't realised how badly the Light Brigade had come off."
Thanks to the Russian officer's confusion, Sir Roger, and his horse Bob, survived. Bob's preserved hoof is now displayed in the billiard room and can only be seen when the house — which is still privately owned — is opened to the public on special days.
[Source: Rhian Waller, "Collecting to link us with time gone by", 12 November 2014, News North Wales, newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/140623/collecting-to-link-us-with-time-gone-by.aspx.]
From the Wrexham Advertiser, 11th of June 1910:
"The late Sir Roger Palmer. — The funeral of the late Sir Roger Palmer took place on Friday afternoon, when the mortal remains of the late Sir Roger Palmer were interred in the family vault in the grave-yard of Wrexham Church.
It was the desire of the family that obsequies should be kept as private as possible, but it was only natural that large crowds assembled to see the last of such a distinguished veteran.
However, it was a very simple funeral, and shorn of all the pomp and pageantry that could have been displayed as befitting the funeral of a great and famous soldier, and at the same time it was quite in keeping with the retiring disposition of the deceased soldier.
It was quite a small procession that started from Cefn, but it was added to all the way along the route and everywhere there were manifestations of the respect and esteem in which the late Sir Roger Palmer was held.
Along Chester Street and the High Street, the route was crowded, and there was a large congregation in the church and around the vault.
At Cefn, the coffin, which was of polished oak, and heavily mounted and panelled, was placed on one of the estate lorries and covered with the Union Jack, on which also rested the deceased's sword and General's plumed hat.
Six estate workers acted as pall-bearers. The cortege was met at the church-gates by the Vicars of Wrexham and Abenbury, the officiating clergymen.
A number of non-commissioned officers of the R.W.F. and two trumpeters of the 2nd Life Guards were lined up outside the church-yard gates.
A very impressive ceremony took place, Lady Palmer, who arrived before the cortege reached the church, occupying a seat in the chancel.
The only hymn was 'A few more years shall roll,' and this was sung in a very feeling manner.
As the mortal remains were borne out of the church to their last resting-place the organist played the Dead March in "Saul." There was a great crowd around the vault, which is on the south side of the graveyard and here the Revd. Daniel Davis concluded the burial service.
The sounding of the "Last Post" was a fitting conclusion to the ceremony and Sir Roger was placed in the vault where his father and ancestors have been laid.
There was a special request that no flowers be sent, but nevertheless a large number of wreaths and crosses were forwarded.
Only three of these were taken with the coffin, they being from 'The Officers and men of the 20th Hussars,', 'In loving memory of Sir Roger, from his old keeper, Black ', and 'With the respectful and affectionate sympathy of the little children of Rush'."
Lieut-General Sir Roger William Henry Palmer, 5th Baronet (1832-1910), was a senior officer in the British Army and the Anglo-Irish Conservative MP for Mayo. Sir Roger was the last of the Palmer baronets of Castle Lackin, Co. Mayo, who owned, in addition to some 115,000 acres of land, Kenure House, Rush, County Dublin,[1] Castle Lackin in Mayo, Cefn Park in Wrexham and Glenisland House in Maidenhead.[2]
He was the son of Sir William Henry Roger Palmer, Bt and the great-grandson of Sir Roger Palmer of Mayo, who was MP (1768-1783) for Portarlington in the Irish Parliament. His only sibling Ellen married Archie Peel, a nephew of the UK Prime minister.[3] He was educated at Eton and joined the Army.[4]
He served in the Crimea War with the 11th Hussars and took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade of 1854. He exchanged to the 2nd Life Guards in 1856 (until 1870) [4] and was placed on the retired list in 1881.[5] He was granted the colonelcy of the 20th Hussars from 1891 until his death in 1910.[6]
He was the Anglo-Irish Conservative MP for Mayo from 1857 until 1865.[4] He succeeded his father in 1869 and the same year built Glen Island House on an island in the Thames near Taplow.
On his death, Kenure Park passed to Colonel Roderick Henry Fenwick-Palmer.[7] Sir Roger had married Gertrude Millicent, daughter of the Rev. Plumer Rooper, who survived him, dying in 1929.[8]
In popular culture
In a 2014 episode of Who Do You Think You Are? actress Julie Walters learns that her Irish great-grandfather, Anthony Clarke, was a tenant at will of Palmer's, living on and cultivating 43 acres of land in County Mayo owned by Sir Roger.[9]
References
1. Sad and Lonely Ruin is a Reminder of what could have been 2. "Glen Island". South Buckinghamshire Council. Retrieved 24 February 2017. 3. Kenure Church Rush www.rushdublin.com 4. a b c "WhoWasWho" (PDF). angloboerwar.com. Retrieved 24 February 2017. 5. "No. 24999". The London Gazette. 26 July 1881. p. 3675. 6. "No. 26178". The London Gazette. 3 July 1891. p. 3528. 7. Kenure Park Lord Belmont Northern Ireland Blogspot. 8. The Last Palmers Ask About Ireland 9. Julie Walters Who Do You Think You Are? S11 E01. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
[PB: Follow up his sister, Ellen.]
"Courted" by Archibald Peel, brother of Capt. William Peel VC, the commander of HMS Diamond in Crimean waters, Miss Palmer (1830-63) remained mainly in Turkey but paid a visit to the Crimea to visit her brother Robert, who was in the 11th Hussars and took part in the charge of the Light Brigade. Entries in her diary from the Crimea from 26 December 1854 until 29 January 1855, although succinct, reveal her as an intrepid young lady, visiting the Inkerman battlefield under shellfire and also to the trenches themselves during the height of winter (pp. 63-91).
[Source: In the Lands of the Romanovs: An Annotated Bibliography of First-hand English-language Accounts of the Russian Empire (1613-1917), http://openbookpublishers.com/htmlreader/978-1-78374-057-4/ch8.xhtml (accessed 21.7.14).]
Also, more recently, what I assume is a complete transcription:
Last week I was in Wrexham, North Wales, and had a look in the Parish Church of St Giles, where there is a monument sculpted by the Pre-Raphaelite sculptor Thomas Woolner. Woolner is one of the less popular Pre-Raphaelites, despite having been a member since its inception. The only sculptor of the Brotherhood, he contributed a poem, 'My Beautiful Lady', to their magazine The Germ. He was later Professor of Sculpture at the Royal Academy, but his work both poetic and sculptural is often overlooked since his death.
This beautiful monument is to Ellen Peel, and the inscription says she was the daughter of Sir Roger Palmer of Cefn Park (a survivor of the Charge of the Light Brigade [PB: the author is mistaken — the "Sir Roger Palmer" referred to is her father, not her brother who rode in the Charge, also RP], and buried in the churchyard at St Giles) and wife of Archibald Peel of Marchwiel (don't you love how women in history are usually defined by their male relations?) According to the guidebook, it "shows Ellen being greeted by her infant son, Archibald Roger, who had pre-deceased her". There is pathos of a particularly Victorian kind here: the bereaved mother, only 33 when she died, is greeted by her dead son, when they are reunited in Heaven after death, thus presenting a happy life after death for Ellen.
Beneath the relief sculpture is the motto 'There shall be one fold and one shepherd'. Yet it doesn't seem overly sentimental: there is pathos but there is also joy, of a religious and also domestic kind; typically, for the Victorians, it envisions a domestic afterlife in which reunion with the dead and a kind of resumption of lost love and a domestic centre feature strongly. This monument shows Woolner's talent for figures, in my opinion, though it is very different from his more famous sculptural portraits of Dickens and Tennyson, for example.
Additional marriage and death registrations, and Census information for 1841, 1861, and 1881-1901, kindly provided by Chris Poole.