Doris Ethel Palmer was born on 18 February 1910, the eldest child of Albert Edward Palmer (1883-1941) and Sarah Caroline Elizabeth Palmer née Finch (1884-1951). Her birth was registered in the 1st quarter of 1910 in the Camberwell Registration District, London. On 6 March 1910 she was baptised at St Andrew's Church, Peckham, London, where the baptismal register confirms her date of birth and that her family are recorded as living at 90 Cator Street, Peckham, London, her father being a tram cleaner.
In the 1911 census she is shown as aged one year and living in three rooms at 90 Cator Street, Peckham, SE London, with her parents. Her father described himself as a tram cleaner employed by the London County Council.
Her two siblings were: George Albert Palmer (1911-1991) who was born on 29 November 1911 and Maud Alice Palmer, born on 13 January 1914. During World War One her father served in the Royal Garrison Artillery and his service records confirm that Doris Ethel Palmer was born on 18 February 1910.
The 1936 electoral register shows her, her parents and her two siblings all listed at 90 Cator Street, London, SE15. In the 1939 England and Wales Register she is shown as a machinist, still residing at 90 Cator Street, London, SE15, together with her parents and her brother, George Albert Palmer. However, her date of birth is recorded as 19 February 1910. Her father was listed as a tram cleaner and her brother was a truckman employed by the London Passenger Transport Board.
In the 3rd quarter of 1940 she married William G. Sturch in the Camberwell Registration District.
She was killed, aged 34 years, on 22 June 1944 as a result of enemy action when a V1 flying bomb landed on the factory in which she was employed producing parachutes. She was on 27 June 1944 in , Brenchley Gardens, London, SE23 3RD.
She is shown as 'Doris Ethel Sturch (aged 34), of 11 Hoopwick Terrace, Deptford' on the Nunhead Lane V1 rocket memorial information board outside Glover House, Nunhead Lane, London, SE15. She is also commemorated on the and in the that is kept just outside the entrance to St George's Chapel at the west end of Westminster Abbey.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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