Bromsgrove: 101-year-old WW2 hero given final medal at his funeral

Eddie Palmer, from Bromsgrove, was just 15 when he joined the Royal Navy in 1938 as a sailor and trained as an electrician specialising in torpedoes.

He was involved with the hunt for the Bismarck which he said was his scariest moment of the war.

Later he was aboard ship in Valletta's Grand Harbour when the ship suffered a direct hit from a German bomber during the Siege Of Malta.

Eddie Palmer celebrating his 100th birthday with his wife Jill and their son David. (Image: David Palmer / SWNS) He went on to receive medals The 1939-45 Star, The Atlantic Star, The Italian Star, The Africa Star, The Defence Medal, 1939-45 Service Medal and the MID Oak Leaf.

But his last honour - the Malta George Cross Fiftieth Anniversary Medal - arrived as he was laid to rest aged 101.

Local historian Neil Beaumont secured the medal on his behalf but then discovered that Eddie had died eight days earlier.

The medal was given to the family at the dad-of-three's funeral following his death on July 1.

David Palmer, aged 59, Eddie's son, a software engineer from Sydney, Australia said: "We were really chuffed to receive it.

''It was such a shame that he wasn’t alive to receive his medal.

"He managed to survive the rest of the war and his mum was told that he was missing in action.

''But she refused to believe it and everyone else was trying to console her but she knew he was coming home.

"After the war, he got out of the Navy and switched to an electrical engineer which was based in the midlands where he met his wife and was married for 67 years."

Eddie Palmer (right) at HMS Defiance towards the end of WW2. (Image: Courtesy David Palmer / SWNS) In Malta as a sailor great-granddad Eddie dived into the harbour and raced to safety chased by the burning oil. The ship subsequently sank.

He remained on the island throughout the siege going on to fit torpedoes to the bombers.

One of them helped end Rommel's North Africa campaign when it sank a supply ship.

Eddie, who has five grandchildren, became a huge role model with in his family for his bravery he had shown over the years.

The final medal he received was issued by the Maltese Government.

Neil said: "I spoke to a mutual friend who knew the family. I thought this story was incredible and it was told over several meetings with the family.

“In the course of that, I got to see his medals but noticed one was missing and Eddie was entailed to the medal but he hadn’t received it.

“Eddie was very humble, and I thought I would get one for him and his family.''

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) The Maltese Government set a strictly limited window in which to apply for the medal but copies were available and that is what Neil was able to secure.

His funeral in July was held at Bromsgrove Methodist Church, the local church of his wife Jill Palmer, aged 90.

David said: "There was such a lovely mix of family and friends who helped make it a special and memorable day for mum.

"The funeral while a sad occasion was a really good celebration of a long and at times eventful life.''