Warrant Officer
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 84 Sqdn
Service No:958283
Date of Death: 2nd March 1944

Geoffrey Clifford Palmer joined the RAF in 1940 and married Miss Olive Norton of the Accounts Department in 1941. He was posted to Sumatra in 1942 and was then transferred to Java. In early 1942 his squadron ( 84) flew its new Blenheims to the Dutch East Indies, from Palembang in Sumatra. They carried out raids against the advancing Japanese army from Sumatra, Batavia and finally from Java, where at Tilatjap they were finally overrun. All were taken prisoner, except for a small party consisting of the CO and 11 aircrew.
Geoff was held in camps in Java, Singapore and Honshu and died at Wakayama in Honshu of acute pneumonia on 02 March 1944. His rank is given as Sergeant Wireless Operator, RAF, 84 Squadron.

His obituary in the staff magazine reads "He was one of those little fellows with a great heart, in the office you could always rely on him to do his best cheerfully. So when war broke out and half our staff joined up, Geoffrey, at the age of 19, was put in charge of the Fire Loss Department. We knew that he would rise to the occasion and right well he did it. “

His Wing Commander subsequently wrote about him “I was very fond of him and he was very popular with other members of the staff (Squadron). His work was excellent and I could not wish for a more willing person to work (fly) with. Our hearts go out in deep sympathy to all his loved ones and particularly to his wife who has shown such a brave face throughout all the long months of waiting."

Age: 26
Grave Reference:Brit. Sec. B. C. 3. Cemetery:YOKOHAMA WAR CEMETERY

Norwich Union RFC

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