1939-45 Star/France & Germany Star/War Medal 1939/45/Imperial Service Medal QE II (WILLIAM GEORGE TOM PALMER)
1763455 Gnr. William George Tom Palmer. R.A. Born 31.5.1907 Charlton Kings, Glouc. Postman-Driver. Served France & Germany in WWII an was Wounded in Action on 13.6.1944 serving with 356 S.L. Battery, Royal Artillery.
The 356th Moonlight Battery, Royal Artillery was a searchlight unit of the British Army that provided artificial illumination, or 'Monty's Moonlight', for night operations by 21st Army Group during the campaign in North West Europe in 1944–45. The battery was operating under 76th AA Brigade, responsible for the AA defence of the Gold beachhead, the Mulberry harbour under construction at Arromanches, and the oil terminal at Port-en-Bessin. C Troop and the remainder of the frontline elements of the battery arrived on Motor Transports from Southend on 9 June (D + 3), but the vehicles could not be landed until the next day. Over succeeding nights the S/Ls were in use against nuisance raids over the beachhead, with some casualties suffered from the bombing. The lights forced the Luftwaffe to attack from greater height. From 14 June the battery also operated one S/L as an 'Orbit' beacon for RAF night fighters. Palmer was undoubtedly one of the casualties referred to.
Awarded the Imperial Service Medal on his retirement in Cheltenham in 1967. The lot is accompanied by a newspaper article detailing his war service and the original box of issue for the I.S.M. He passed away in Cheltenham in April 1982.
