Anthony Palmer (VC)

Anthony Palmer VC was a British Army soldier who served as a Private in the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards during the Crimean War. He was born on 10 March 1819 at Brereton Green, Cheshire, and became one of the early recipients of the Victoria Cross for his gallantry at the Battle of Inkerman on 5 November 1854.

During the fighting at Inkerman, Palmer was one of the men who volunteered to follow Brevet Major Sir Charles Russell in an attack on Russian troops occupying the Sandbag Battery. In the close fighting that followed, Palmer shot down a Russian soldier who was about to bayonet Russell, saving his officer’s life. He also helped in the desperate action that prevented the Colours of the battalion from being captured.

For this action Palmer was awarded the Victoria Cross. His other recorded awards include the Crimean Medal with clasps for Alma, Balaklava, Inkerman and Sebastopol, the Turkish Crimea Medal, the Long Service Medal, and the Bentinck Medal for Gallantry. After leaving the regular army in 1863, he later served as a Captain in the 3rd Essex Volunteer Regiment and became Head Constable of the Millwall Dock Company.

Palmer died on 12 December 1892 at Crumpsall Hospital, Manchester, and was buried in Heywood Cemetery, Rochdale. His Victoria Cross is held by the Grenadier Guards Regimental Headquarters at Wellington Barracks, London.