Category: Military
Rank: Private
Regiment or Ship: The Buffs, East Kent Regiment
Service Number(s): G/26633
Occupation: Apprentice Grocer (1911)
Date of Birth: 1895
Place of Birth: Bexhill, Sussex
Address: 43 Windsor Road, Bexhill
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents: Frederick Harmer, b. 1862 in Hailsham, Sussex, d. 1932 in Hailsham, and Charlotte Annie Harmer (nee Spray), b. 1865 in Hawkhurst, Kent. Frederick and Charlotte married in 1886.
Siblings:
Frederick George Harmer, b. 1888 in Hailsham. W0248 HARMER Frederick George
Hubert Henry Harmer, b. 1891 in Hailsham. W0249 HARMER Hubert Henry
Ethel Rose Harmer, b. 1892 in Bexhill.
Lester James Harmer, b. 1897 in Bexhill. W0246 HARMER Lester James
Annie May Harmer, b. 1899 in Bexhill, d. 1902.
Frank Henry Harmer, b. 1901 in Bexhill, d. 1901.
Elsie Alexandra Harmer, b. 1903 in Bexhill.
Albert Edward Harmer, b. 1903 in Bexhill.
Cecil Amays Harmer, b. 1909 in Bexhill.
Sometime before 1891 the Harmer family moved from “Mangle House”, Alexandra Terrace, Hailsham, to Windsor Terrace, then 69 Windsor Road (in 1901) and then to 43 Windsor Road by 1911. Frederick went from being an employed fly driver to a self-employed bathchairman.
Frederick Sen.’s parents were Thomas Harmer (1830-1920) and Louisa Harmer – nee Harris – (1833-1898).
First World War Experience
We do not know when Percy joined up but we do know that he served in France, had trench fever and underwent an operation – this from an article which appeared in the Bexhill Observer dated 7th December 1918.
“Mr. and Mrs. Harmer of 43, Windsor-road, are in the happy position of having four sons home on leave at the same time. They are: Private F. G. Harmer, A.S.C., from Aldershot; Corporal H. H. Harmer, R.A.F. * Yorkshire; Private P. T. Harmer, The Buffs, home from France, where he had trench fever and underwent an operation; and Private L. J. Harmer, M. G. C. home from France where he was badly wounded and subsequently gassed. They are all well now.”
* Extensive research suggests that R.A.F. was a miss-print and should have been R.F.A. (Royal Field Artillery).
He received both the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.