Memorials & Monuments
on the Isle of Wight
- Biography -
- Henry George Primmer -

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, June 7, 1918 Page 1

The greatest sympathy has this week been extended to Private and Mrs. B. Primmer, Dudley Road, in the sad loss of their eldest son, a bright and promising lad of sixteen, who was in the Royal Air Service. He underwent recently an operation for the amputation of a leg, and died from shock and exhaustion. The funeral on Tuesday was of a military character, the local Volunteers providing the bearers and firing party. The solemn procession, as it made its way to the Cemetery, was witnessed with mournful interest.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Mr. and Mrs B. Primmer desire to return thanks for the many expressions of sympathy they have received in the death of their son. They also thank all friends for wreaths and flowers sent for the funeral.

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Tragic Death of a Young Local Soldier.
The death occurred last Friday, May 31st, of H.G. Primmer, aged 16, boy mechanic, Royal Air Force, eldest son of Pte. B. Primmer, 7th Hants, and Mrs. Primmer, of York Villas, Dudley Road, Ventnor. It is surmised that he sustained an injury to his leg some time ago, but little inconvenience was caused by it. He was home on leave a few weeks ago, soon after returning to camp he became very unwell, and the amputation of his right leg was considered imperative. This was duly carried out, but the young lad succumbed to the shock and exhaustion, passing away at the 1st Eastern General Military Hospital. Before enlisting in May 1917 Primmer worked for one or two local bakers, and the circumstances of his early death have evoked the deepest sympathy with his parents and family, who are old residents of Ventnor. The body was brought to Ventnor for interment and the funeral took place on Tuesday amid many marks of respect and deep feeling for the bereaved. The procession to the Cemetery was preceded by a firing party of the Volunteers and other members, under the command of Lieut. W.H. Lawler. A pathetic incident was the lining up in Dudley Road of the boys belonging to the Church of England Schools, who stood to attention. Members of the Volunteers acted as bearers. The mourners were Mr. and Mrs. B. Primmer (father and mother), Miss Nellie Primmer (sister), Mrs. Silsbury and Mrs. Attrill (aunts). The Rev. R.W. Colquhoun was the officiating minister and Mr. G.H.R. Ingram carried out the duties of undertakers. There was a large attendance of the public in the vicinity of the house and at the Cemetery. The coffin was enveloped in beautiful wreaths and flowers, the following being a list: - In loving remembrance from Dad and Mum, "I will repay saith the Lord"; in loving memory from Madge, Nell and Percy; with loving thoughts from Muriel, Billy and Mother, "He hath done what he could"; in loving memory from Grandma Primmer; in loving memory of a brave little soldier, from Auntie Nan and Frank; in loving memory from Auntie Nell and Amy; in loving memory from Uncle Harry and Auntie Gus; in loving memory from Aunt Fanny; from his cousins Kate, Nan and Elsie; in loving memory from E. & C. Porter and Katie; with deepest sympathy from the Nursing Staff and patients of Ward 4, 1st Eastern Hospital, Cambridge; with loving remembrance from the Past and Present Boys of the C of E Schools; with sincere sympathy from the Staff of the Sandringham Hotel, Sandown; with sincere sympathy from Archie Briddon, Lieutenant, R.A.F.; from Mr. and Mrs. Russell, May and Nellie; with deep sympathy from Mr. and Mrs. Hunt and family; with deepest sympathy from Mr. and Mrs. Ralph White; with deepest sympathy from his chum Jack Newberry, Wireless Telegraphy, H.M.S. Obedient; in loving memory from Joan and Molly; from Mr. and Mrs. C. Jenkins and family.