Charles Palmer 1930-2001

Charles Palmer, president of the Budokwai and president of the BJA died on Friday evening 17th August 2001 at the age of 71. 

He had been taken to hospital on the previous day and died in hospital.

He is sadly missed - .see obituaries. - Please send  in any material which you would like to share regarding Charlie's life and career, condolences or personal reminiscences and messages.  - Thank you.

FUNERAL  The funeral of Charles Palmer took place on Friday 31st August at 12.30.pm at Mortlake Crematorium.  In accordance with his wishes it was a very simple non denominational service. The small church was packed with Judo people from throughout the world and the pall bearers made their last rei to the sensei as the coffin was committed to the crematorium.   It was also Charles wish not to have flowers and that donations should be made to the charity he supported,  The Orangutan Foundation, 7 Kent Terrace, London NW1 4RP rather than having an excess of flowers since his roof garden was full of them!!

From our Directory - 

Charles Palmer - the current President of the Budokwai - started Judo at the age of 16 and had obtained his black belt by the age of 18. He was called up for Military service but was given special leave to compete for Great Britain in Holland.

 On completion of his National service he gained his 2nd Dan at the Budokwai. In 1951 he joined some other distinguished pupils of Trevor Legget in Japan. With a job as security guard at the British Embassy he was able to further his judo studies at the Kodokan where he was awarded 4th Dan. He returned to England and again won a place in the British Judo Team which won the European Championships in 1957, 1958, and 1959, succeeding Geoff Glesson as Captain for the last two years.

 Shortly after this he retired from major competition and was elected Chairman of the British Judo Association a post which he held for the next 24 years. In the 1965 International Judo Federation (IJF) Congress in Rio de Janeiro he was elected President of the IJF and held that post for the next 14 years.

 In 1973 Mr Palmer was awarded the OBE for his services to International Judo and in 1985 he was elected to the post of Chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA) until the next election four years later. Charles Palmer has been awarded his tenth Dan by the BJA Board of Directors.