William Palmer was born 1891 at Sidegate, Framwellgate, Durham. He was the son of William Palmer and Ellen Mary Bateson. In the 1911 census the family were at 4, Sidegate. William was 19 and working as an assistant in a confectioner's shop.

William served in the Green Howards in WW1, becoming a sergeant.

William is the father-in-law of June Palmer of Aycliffe.