22nd April 1937

Winchester, Hsmpshire

Winger

Ken Palmer, who made his name as a first-class cricketer and later as an international umpire, appeared for Exeter City's reserves in 1962/63 having previously enjoyed a similar winter arrangement with Bristol City. Two years later, opting to spend the winter of 1964/65 coaching in South Africa, he received a late call-up to play for England in the fifth test at Port Elizabeth.
 
A Somerset player since 1955, Ken often played for Bristol City's reserve and 'A' teams during the winter months. Playing as a winger, his signing for the Grecians was announced in August 1962 ahead of the end of the cricket season and he did not appear at the club for some months before playing at least twice for the reserves in the Western League in December 1962. The appalling whether during the early months of 1963 led to an early curtailment of Ken's Exeter career.

Continuing with Somerset until 1969, he became an umpire in 1972 and officiated in 22 tests between 1978 and 1994.

Ken died in Taunton in July 2024. His brother Roy and son Gary also became first-class cricketers.