Harrie John Palmer was born in Ballarat and was a Law Clerk by trade when he enlisted in the 2nd Field Ambulance, 15th Reinforcement on 5 July 1915 at the age of 19. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on 1 March 1916.

On arrival in Egypt he was attached to the 12th Field Ambulance but in July he was transferred to the 4th Division Base in France. By December of 1916 he had become ill and was subsequently withdrawn to hospital in England suffering from bronchitis. It was not until October 1917 that he was deemed fit enough to return to France, rejoining the 12th Field Ambulance. During 1918 he again became ill and was diagnosed as suffering from tuberculosis which once more drew him away from the Front. After hostilities ceased, he was amongst the early departures for Australia. He left England in January 1919 on the HS Kanowna and disembarked at Melbourne on March 7th. He died just four years later on March 11th 1923, aged 26.

Tree No. 1618