Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Captain M. J. Palmes, Royal Navy, who was awarded a Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal for attempting to save the life of a man from the shark-infested waters off Zanzibar, and who later played first-class cricket for a combined services side in 1919-20

1914-15 Star (Lieut. M. J. Palmes. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Commr. M. J. Palmes. R.N.) good very fine (3) £120-£160

Manfred Jerome Palmes was born in February 1897 at Naburn Hall, Yorkshire, the son of Francis Jermoe and Mary Theresa Palmes. Educated at Britannia Royal Naval College, he was confirmed an acting Sub-Lieutenant in 1908 and was promoted Lieutenant in 1909, and Lieutenant-Commander in March 1917. He was awarded the Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal In September 1916 (case number 43,011), when ‘on the 29th September 1916, a man accidentally fell from a boat into the harbour at Zanzibar, the distance from shore being half a mile, the night dark, and danger from sharks. Palmes and Murray jumped in, but were unable to find him and were picked up half an hour later.’

Palmes retired with the rank of Commander and was placed on the retired list as a Captain on 23 February 1933.

A keen cricketer, Palmes played for the Royal Navy Cricket Club, and played two First Class matches for a combined Army and Navy team at Lord’s in 1919 and 1920, with a top score of 6 in his four innings. He later emigrated to South Africa and died at Simon’s Town in May 1968.