Page 485 - Reading Mercury

animals which Mr. Howard Palmer has reared, “Murrell Prince” was considered to be
one of the finest boars in the world, and had a long list of show successes, while other
first prize pigs bred on the farm include “Murrell Betka”, “Murrell Sunshine”,
“Murrell Sunshade”, “Murrell Mistress”, “Murrell Lassie”, and “Murrell Annie”. In
1920 Mr. Palmer was awarded the Berkshire Challenge Cup, presented by the British
Berkshire Society to the owner whose combined entries of Berkshire pigs obtained
most points at shows held by the Royal Agricultural Society of England. He also
reared some remarkable Shire horses, his most successful animals including “Monks
Green Melody”, “Stokes’ Victor”, and “Stokes’ Coming Queen”, the last named mare
taking many prizes at various shows.
Although he always refused to come forward as a candidate for Parliamentary
honours, Mr. Howard Palmer took an active part in county affairs. He was a keen
supporter of the Conservative cause, and had presided at meetings in Reading, while
he was always greatly interested in the Conservative cause in Wokingham and district.
He was chairman for nearly 20 years, from 1900, of the Wokingham Conservative
Association. In 1898 he became J.P. for the County, and in 190? Was the High
Sheriff. He was a vice president of the Royal Berkshire Hospital, and a governor of
Reading University College, to both of which institutions he and his firm were such
generous subscribers. He was also a valued member of the Berkshire Territorial Force
Association, and vice-chairman of the Bear Wood Management of Broadmoor
Asylum
In 1920 Mr. Howard Palmer accepted the presidency of the Royal Counties
Agricultural Society, whose show was held in Reading that year. He had been a
member of the council of the society for some years. Mr. Palmer was deservedly
popular with agriculturists, and he discharged the duties which fell on him as
president with dignity and geniality. He was also more than once president of the
Wokingham and District Agricultural Association.
It is impossible to appraise all that Mr. Howard Palmer did for the Reading Athletic
Club. When, about the year 1888, he became captain of the club there was a deficit
balance, but this position of affairs was soon altered, and as was stated in one of the
old reports, “the prosperity and progress of the R.A.C. from the time of Mr. Palmer’s
acceptance of office.
On the death of the president, Sir George Russell, Bart., M.P., in 1898, there was
only one possible person as his successor, the choice being absolutely unanimous.
Mr. Howard Palmer was keenly interested in the Berkshire County Cricket Club and
since he purchased the ground in Kensington R., Reading, it has always been at the
disposal of the club. He himself at one time captained the Biscuit Factory Cricket
Club, and made some excellent scores. He was also a good half back at football. He
was chairman of the committee of the Garth Hunt, and was a keen rider to hounds.
When the meets were at Heathlands he generously entertained the followers. He was
also fond of shooting and lawn tennis. A great lover of flowers—as shown by the
beautifully kept grounds of Heathlands—he was especially successful with the
cultivation of orchids. Mr. Howard Palmer was president of the Pinewood United
Football Club, and a vice-president of the Reading Imperials Football Club. In the
former’s match with Valley End in the Ascot League on Saturday, the players, as a
token of respect to their president, wore black armlets.
Mr. Howard Palmer married in 1890 Miss Ada Morgan, daughter of Mr. William
Reed, of Onslow Gardens, S.W., and she and one son, Mr. Reginald H.R. Palmer,
M.C., survive him.

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