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109 Squadron Pathfinders fact sheet
Gives history of 109 Squadron from reformation on 10 December 1940 until last bombs dropped on 2/3 May 1945. Covers development of blind bombing and Oboe. Moved to RAF Wyton as independent unit of newly formed Pathfinder force. Mentions first Oboe…
Palmer V.C pathfinder fact sheet
Includes biographic details, service history and account of last operation for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Completed 111 operations on three squadrons, took part in Cologne 1000 bomber operation. Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross twice.…
Roll of honour for Path Finder Force RAF Little Staughton
Lists casualties for 109 Squadron and 582 Squadron in 1943, 1944, 1945 and 1946. Has squadron badges for both squadrons an 8 Group and two Victoria Crosses (Squadron Leader Robert A.M.Palmer V.C, D.F.C & Bar 109 Sqn and Captain Edwin E Swales V.C.,…
Newspaper cuttings about unveiling of Robert Palmer's portrait in Gravesend town hall
Top - V.C.'s contempt for the enemy, portrait of Kent hero unveiled. Article about unveiling and provides some of Palmer's service background and mentions funding of portrait and that there was some money left over. Includes photograph of unveiling…
Newspaper cuttings concerning Robert Palmers award of Victoria Cross
Left - Squadron Leader R.A.M. Palmer V.C., D.F.C. & Bar. Father and brother receive medals. Article explains that Robert Palmers father received the Victoria Cross and his brother his Distinguished Flying Cross at investiture at Buckingham…
Newspaper cuttings concerning Robert Palmers Victoria Cross final operation
Top - V.C, led attack in blazing plane. Account of last operation leading attack on marshalling yard in Cologne from which he failed to return but was awarded the Victoria Cross. Left - New airman V.C. Always chosen for special operations. Some…
Newspaper cuttings - always selected for vital targets; Palmer V.C bombed and said nothing; Squadron Leader Palmer V.C.
Left - always selected for vital targets - an outstanding pilot. Gives service background and description of action leading to award of Victoria Cross. Mentions 110 completed operations and final attack on Cologne where his aircraft failed to return,…
Newspaper cuttings - secret out on only radar V.C and followed father won V.C.
Top - now reveals that the operation for which Robert Palmer was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross involved his use of highly secret "Oboe" which meant he had to fly straight and level while being engaged by enemy fighters and anti-aircraft…
Newspaper cuttings concerning awards of Victoria Crosses
Top - Royal Air Force 23rd V.C. Announces award of Victoria Cross to Act Sqn Ldr Robert Antony Maurice Palmer 109 Squadron (missing). Quotes from citation for award with account of operation to Cologne and some service background. Bottom left - pals…
Newspaper cuttings award of Victoria Cross
Left - a master bomber's self-sacrifice. Account of actions of Captain Edwin Swales DFC of the South African Air Force posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for attack on Pforzheim. He was attached by fighters over the target and aircraft severely…
Letter to Robert Palmer's father from the Air Ministry casualty branch
Mentions that his son had previously been reported missing and while no news of him had come to hand a report regarding two of his crew had been received from the red cross. Flight Sergeant R K Yeulett was captured and Flight Lieutenant G Russell…
Letter to Robert Palmer's father from Buckingham Palace
Letter of sympathy from the King.
Letter to Robert Palmer's father from the air ministry casualty branch
The Air Council had learned that his son Acting Squadron Leader Robert Antony Maurice Palmer VC DFC RAF was now known to have lost his life as a result of air operations on 24 December 1944. According to information from one surviving crew, the other…
Robert Palmer headstone
White headstone in cemetery for Squadron Leader R.A.M. Palmer VC, DFC & Bar, pilot, Royal air Force, 23 December 1944.
Three men viewing photograph of Robert Palmer and explanatory note
An Air Marshall, mayor and a rector standing looking at a photograph of Robert Palmer mounted on a wall. Explanatory note on opposite page.
Telegram to Robert Palmers father from the air ministry
Informs him that his son was reported to have lost his life. as a result of air operations on 24 December 1944.
Newspaper cuttings and stamps
Seven newspaper cuttings with two notices of thanks, an announcement of award of Victoria Cross and four in memory. Four British 20p postage stamps featuring the Victoria Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross (2 of each).
Memorial and RAF chapel
Top left - memorial stone for RAF Little Staughton 109 and 582 Squadrons 8 Group pathfinder force, bomber command. On roadside with flowers and hedge.
Bottom left - view of altar with colours either side and RAF eagle on front.
Right - memorial…
Bottom left - view of altar with colours either side and RAF eagle on front.
Right - memorial…
Plaque at St Thomas's Amshouses and memorials
Left - Alderman P E Jones at St Thomas's Amshouses, Gravesend. He looks up at a wall plaque dedicating rooms in memory of Squadron Leader Robert Palmer VC, DFC and Bar, killed in action over Cologne, 23rd December 1944. Captioned 'Alderman P E Jones…
Cologne
Right - a man wearing brown overcoat standing on rod by the side of a river with city on far side. Right - view across river of distant Cologne cathedral. Captioned 'Daddy's visit to Cologne in December 1994. View across the Rhine to Gremburg (the…
Rheinberg cemetery and Hoffnungsthal memorial
Left - a man wearing grey civilian suit standing between rows of headstone in a war cemetery.
Right - three men and a woman standing beside a stone memorial with many wreaths. Captioned 'Daddy (right) and Les Owen (third from right) laying flowers…
Right - three men and a woman standing beside a stone memorial with many wreaths. Captioned 'Daddy (right) and Les Owen (third from right) laying flowers…
Headstones
Left - white headstone with unreadable name - possibly O.S. Milne.
Middle - white headstone for B Nundy.
Right - white headstone for W Delgarno.
Middle - white headstone for B Nundy.
Right - white headstone for W Delgarno.
Headstones
Left - white headstone for Robert Palmer.
Middle - white headstone for G Russell DFC.
White headstone for A L Carter DFC.
Middle - white headstone for G Russell DFC.
White headstone for A L Carter DFC.
Robert Palmer headstone
Left - white headstone for Squadron Leader R.A.M. Palmer VC DFC & Bar, pilot, Royal Air Force, 23rd December 1944.
Right - three rows of white headstones with Robert Palmer's front left with two poppy wreaths.
Right - three rows of white headstones with Robert Palmer's front left with two poppy wreaths.
British war cemetery Rheinberg
Top left - view of three rows of white headstones in cemetery. Captioned 'British War Cemetery, Rheinberg, Germany'.
Bottom right - a name wearing suit standing between rows of white headstones in a cemetery. Captioned 'Daddy visiting Bob's grave in…
Bottom right - a name wearing suit standing between rows of white headstones in a cemetery. Captioned 'Daddy visiting Bob's grave in…