CORP. Albert Edward Palmer, No. 124444, CEF
“I had the pleasure of seeing that Zepp. destroyed. It was a beautiful sight to see it falling in flames…” A. E. Palmer, England 20 SEpt. 1916
September 20, 1916
Dear Friend:-
I sincerely hope these few lines find Mrs. Stanley and yourself in the best of health. I am feeling fine and fit at present. Since arriving in England I have been taken from the band and sent to school, taking machine gun and rifle courses as an Armourer. I have succeeded in passing the examinations on both. (This is a list; Savage Lewis; Colt and Maxim machine guns; Ross and Lee Enfield Rifles; Colt Automatic Pistol; Webley and Smith & Wesson Revolvers.) So you see it has taken a great deal of my time in studying, that’s why I haven’t written very many letters to anyone.
I am at present working in Greenwich quite close to Woolwich Arsenal. We are reparing rifles and machine guns which have been sent back from France. I haven’t been across yet, but don’t know any day but what I may be sent. Most of our Batt. have been in action and we have lost several officers and men. I had the pleasure of seeing that Zepp. destroyed. It was a beautiful sight to see it falling in flames. It fell 20 miles from here, but you could have read the small print in The Journal 25 or 30 miles away, because of the light it cast.
I am sending you an actual photograph, taken while it was falling and almost at the moment Lieut. Robinson signalled to the Aircraft guns to cease firing. I shall be able to tell you more about it when I come back to St. Mary’s, which I hope won’t be very long now. I have given you address of my home in South Wales as I don’t know where I am likely to be a month from now. Mrs. Palmer arrived quite safely, but was a long time on the water. She is staying at my home at present. The weather here is very damp and cold. (In London only.) I shiver with my overcoat on. In other parts of England and Wales they have beautiful weather. Our workshop is situated alongside the river Thames, which is quite a sight at all times of the day and night now, to see the enormous amount of shipping which is going on. One thing more before I close. We used to read in the newspapers that the people of London were quite used to the Zepps. I didn’t seem to be disturbed by them but I can assure you, Mr. Stanley, that it’s a horrible feeling that comes over anyone, as we are helpless. Sometimes they reach a height of 3 miles and the humming of the propellor is like the sound of a big mosquito. They are expected anytime now as the weather is suitable for them and the reptile murderer in Berlin has made a threat that he will destroy London before the end of October. Now I must draw to a close this time. With kindest regards to Mrs. Stanley and yourself, from
Yours Sincerely,
CORP. A. E. Palmer
No. 124444,
P. S. Please remember me to all the boys of St. James’ and St. Marys Lodge, also the Oddfellows when you see them, Mr. Stanley.
25 Hirvain St.,
Barry Dock,
Nr. Cardiff,
South Wales
September 20, 1916
St. Marys Journal Argus 1916
Mr. L. D. Stanley is in receipt of the following letter from CORP. A. E. Palmer, South Wales, who saw one of the German Zepplins fall in a blaze of fire.