Rushden Soldier Missing - Private Jack Palmer of the Machine Gun Section

Mrs C Sugars, of 42 Robert-street, Rushden, has received news that Private J H (Jack) Palmer, 17961, Machine Gun Section, -- Northants Regt., has been missing since Aug. 18th.

Private G Pope, 7205, of the same section, writes Mrs Sugars as follows:-

"It is with the deepest regret that I write to let you know that Jack Palmer is missing since the successful attack carried out by this battalion on Friday afternoon last. The whole of his gun team are wounded or missing, and as there is not one with us now I cannot get any definite news. There is just a possible chance that he was wounded and got away. In that case you will have news from him by the time you receive this. I did not see him at all on Friday, but we promised to write to one another if either of us came out all right, and I must say this is a very painful duty for me, as I have lost one of the best chums a chap ever had. He will be much missed by all of us, as he could always be relied upon to do his duty in a quiet and unassuming manner."

In a subsequent letter Private Pope says:-

"I have not got much news of poor old Jack. I have made every inquiry, and could only find one man who seems to know. He told me he saw my chum lying in a trench with severe head wounds, and he could not have lasted more than few minutes after he saw him. I am deeply sorry I cannot send you better and more hopeful news, as I know how distressing it will be for you. Poor old Jack, how I miss him, I cannot tell you. I can hardly realise even now that he has gone. I am afraid that poor old Jack was killed at Guillemont on August 18th. Since then we have been in again, in a different place. I am glad to say I got out all right, but it seems strange without Jack. I will conclude with deepest sympathy in your great trouble."

A letter to the authorities brought Mrs Sugars the following answer:-

"In reply to your enquiry re No 17961, Private J H Palmer, of this unit, I regret to inform you that this man has been missing in action since 18th August, 1916, and no further news has been received of him."

Private Jack Palmer, previous to enlistment, worked for Messrs. Cunnington Bros., and used to play football for St Mary's Bible Class and for the Church Institute.

Mrs Sugars and family would be glad to received news from any of his comrades.

Rushden Soldier Missing Pte Jack Palmer

Mrs C Sugars, of 42 Robert-street, Rushden, has received news that Pte J H (Jack) Palmer, 17961, Machine Gun Section, Northants Regiment, has been missing since Aug. 18th. Mrs Sugars and family would be glad to received news from any of his comrades.

Rushden Soldier's Fate - Private John Henry Palmer Officially Reported Killed

Mrs Sugars, of 42, Roberts Street, Rushden, has now received official news regarding the fate of Pte John Henry Palmer, 17961, - Northants Regt, who has been officially reported missing since August 17th, 1916. She has received from the Army council a statement to the effect that as nothing more has been heard of the missing soldier, they are regretfully constrained to conclude that he is dead, and that his death took place on or about August 17th last year. The usual message of sympathy from the King and Queen accompanied the official intimation.

Before enlisting, the late Pte Palmer was in the employ of Messrs. Cunnington Bros., boot manufacturers, of Rushden. He went out to the front in November, 1915.