A Second War M.B.E. group of eight awarded to Major H. I. Palmer, Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, late Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; British War and Victory Medals (Surg. Prob. H. I. Palmer. R.N.V.R.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, with M.I.D. oak leaves; together with the recipient’s group of related miniature awards, generally very fine or better (8)

M.B.E. London Gazette 24 January 1946:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe.’

The original recommendation, dated 24 July 1945, states: ‘This officer joined the Active Force in April 1941. He has been Registrar of this hospital in this theatre of operations since August 1944. This unit has been active in France and Belgium and during Active periods the Registrar is busy night and day seeing to the admission and evacuation of patients, in addition to normal administrative duties. Not infrequently, during extreme rush periods this officer helped in the resuscitation work and in giving anaesthetics. His work has always been of the highest order, and by his tack, energy, cheerfulness and devotion, he has inspired others when their efforts were failing due to sheer fatigue.’

Harold Ira Palmer was born in Brantford, Ontario, and was educated at the University of Toronto. Appointed a Surgeon Probationer, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, in May 1917, he served during the Great War in H.M. Ships Garry, Urchin, Nereus, and Venturous in the English Channel, Irish Sea, and North Sea, and was advanced Surgeon Sub-Lieutenant. Retuning to the University of Toronto to complete his studies following the cessation of hostilities, he graduated with his M.B. in 1920, and did postgraduate work at the Hospital for Sick Children- for the rest of his medical career he specialised in paediatrics. He served during the Second World War as a Major in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, and was both Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 9 August 1945) and appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services whilst attached to No. 2 Canadian General Hospital in North West Europe. He died in Brantford on 17 April 1960, aged 63.

Sold with copied research, including a photographic image of the recipient.