The published Naval General Service Medal rolls confirm Thomas Palmer as an Able Seaman aboard the Seahorse for the action of 6.7.1808, one of just 32 recipients of this clasp on the Admiralty roll. One other man with these names was awarded a Medal with the 'Syria' clasp.
'In this year, 1808, British seamen displayed their prowess also against Turkish sailors. On the 5 July, the 38-gun Frigate Seahorse, Captain Stewart, engaged in the Levant, the Badere Zaffere, 52 guns and 543 men, and also the Fezan, 24 guns and 230 men. Every attempt of the enemy to board was eluded by skilful seamanship, while an equally scientific display of gunnery caused the smaller vessel to fly after she had sustained great damage, and resulted in the surrender of the Badere Zaffere. The carnage on board her was terrible. No less than 170 men were killed and 200 wounded, while the ship was reduced to a perfect wreck, and her hull so badly shattered, that is was with difficulty she could be kept afloat. The Seahorse, thanks to the consummate skill with which she was handled, lost only four killed and 10 wounded' (Great Battles of the British Navy, by Lieutenant C.R. Low, R.N., refers).