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.

Page 2
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.

Page 3
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.

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, June 14, 1918 Page 3

Ventnor District Council.
... Votes of condolence were passed with Councillor F.H. Sheppard in the death of his wife, with Mrs. B. Primmer in the death of her son, H.G. Primmer, R.A.F., and also with Mrs. Snooke in the death of her husband.
(not all the report has been transcribed)

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, August 2, 1918 Page 3

Ventnor District Council.
... Pte. B. Primmer, 17th Hants Regt., wrote acknowledging on behalf of himself and wife, the Council's kind vote of sympathy in the death of his son.
(not all the report has been transcribed)

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, September 25, 1942 Page 2

Popular Local Weddings
PRIMMER - MILLIGAN
At the Victoria Street Methodist Church on Wednesday at noon the wedding took place of Mr. Percy Edwin Primmer, second son of Mrs. Primmer and the late Mr. Albert Primmer, formerly of Dudley Road, Ventnor, and Miss Freda Dorothy Eva Milligan, only daughter of Mrs. Milligan and the late Mr. George Frederick Milligan,^[1] of 76 Albert Street, Ventnor. The ceremony aroused considerable interest, particularly in Methodist circles, the bride having been an active worker and member of the choir at the High Street Church since early girlhood.
The Rev. W. Sinclair Smith, H.C.F., officiated, Mr. Alfred Burnett (organist of the High Street Methodist Church) presided at the organ and the choir were in attendance.
The bride, given away by her uncle, Mr. R.N. House, of Southampton, looked charming in her gown of white satin with veil and wreath of orange blossom, and white satin shoes. Her bouquet was of white chrysanthemums, pink and white roses, and pink carnations, tied with white ribbons.
Miss Maisie Cooper, friend of the bride, was the bridesmaid. Her dress was of white floral georgette, with head-dress to tone, and she wore white satin shoes and carried a bouquet of yellow-bronze chrysanthemums and love-in-the-mist, tied with blue ribbons. The best man was Mr. Ronald Warder, of Newport (cousin of the bridegroom).
The reception was held at March's Café and later the happy couple left for Bournemouth, where the honeymoon is being spent. The bride's going-away outfit consisted of grey coat and hat, with navy blue accessories.
Mr. and Mrs. Primmer were the recipients of well over a hundred most useful presents. These included a cheque from Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Newbery, by whom the bride has been employed for six years; a cruet and cake stand from the Southern Railway, of the staff of which the bridegroom is an esteemed member; and a canteen of cutlery from the Methodist Church and Choir. The last named gift was publicly presented to the bride after morning service on Sunday, Mr. P.R. Maybee making the presentation in felicitous terms, and his expressions of good wishes were warmly endorsed by Mr. A. Burnett.
The bride's gift to the bridegroom was a pair of gold cuff links; the bridegroom's gift to the bride was a gold cross and chain and a traveling case, and his gift to the bridesmaid a gold and crystal necklet.
Mr. and Mrs. Primmer's future home will be at "Belle-Meade," East Cowes Road, Whippingham.