Eddie Palmer celebrating his 100th birthday with his wife and their son David(Image: David Palmer / SWNS)

Decorated World War II veteran given one last honour with final medal at his funeral

Eddie Palmer, who joined the Royal Navy when he was just 15, died in July aged 101. The torpedo specialist received seven medals for his heroism during World War II

by · The Mirror

A decorated World War II veteran was given one final medal - at his funeral.

Eddie Palmer, who joined the Royal Navy when he was just 15, died in July aged 101. The torpedo specialist received seven medals for his heroism during World War II.

But his last honour - the Malta George Cross 50th Anniversary Medal - came as he was laid to rest. Historian Neil Beaumont secured the medal on his behalf - only to learn Eddie had died days earlier. So instead he handed it over to the war hero’s family at his funeral in Bromsgrove, Worcs.

Eddie’s son David, 59, said: “We were really chuffed to receive it. It was such a shame he wasn’t alive to receive his medal.”

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Medals Eddie received for his service (from left to right): 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence Medal; 1939-45 Service Medal; Malta George Cross Medal - which was presented to Eddie’s family at his funeral( Image: Courtesy David Palmer / SWNS)

Eddie joined the Royal Navy in 1938 as a sailor and trained as a torpedo electrician. He was involved with the hunt for the Bismarck, which he said was his scariest moment of the war. Later he was aboard a ship in Valletta which suffered a direct hit from a German bomber during the Siege Of Malta.

He dived into the harbour and raced to safety chased by the burning oil as the ship sank.

Eddie remained on the island throughout the siege, going on to fit torpedoes to Allied bombers. One of them helped end Rommel's North Africa campaign when it sank a supply ship.

Eddie Palmer (second left) left next to sign, with HMS Sparrow in West Indies( Image: Courtesy David Palmer / SWNS)

David said: “He managed to survive the rest of the war but his mum was told that he was missing in action. But she refused to believe it. Everyone else was trying to console her but she knew he was coming home.”

Granddad-of-five Eddie received The 1939-45 Star, The Atlantic Star, The Italian Star, The Africa Star and The Defence Medal.
He was also awarded the 1939-45 Service Medal and the MID Oak Leaf.

After the war he became an electrical engineer in Bromsgrove.