Michael Palmer (British Army officer)

For other people named Michael Palmer, see Michael Palmer (disambiguation).
Sir Michael Palmer
Born 17 October 1928
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  British Army
Years of service 1948-1985
Rank Major-General
Service number 400011
Commands held 14th/20th King's Hussars
Royal Armoured Corps
Awards Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order

Major-General Sir Joseph Michael Palmer, KCVO (born 17 October 1928) is a retired senior British Army officer. He was Defence Services Secretary from 1982 to 1985.

Early life

Born on 17 October 1928, Palmer is the son of Lieutenant-Colonel William Robert Palmer, DSO and his wife Joan Audrey Palmer (née Smith). He was educated at Wellington College at Crowthorne in Berkshire.[1]

Military career

Having attended the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, Palmer was commissioned into the 14th/20th King's Hussars as a second lieutenant on 22 December 1948, with seniority from that date. He was given the service number 400011.[2] Promoted to lieutenant on 22 December 1950,[3] he was Adjutant of 14th/20th King's Hussars from 1953 to 1955, and was given the acting rank of captain on appointment.[1] Promoted to captain on 22 December 1954,[4] he served as Adjutant of the Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry from 1956 to 1959.[1]

He attended Staff College, Camberley in 1960[1] and, having been promoted to major on 22 December 1961,[5] he attended the Joint Services Staff College in 1965.[1] He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 30 June 1969[6] and between 1969 and 1972 he was commanding officer of the 14th/20th King's Hussars.[1] He was promoted colonel on 30 June 1973.[7] He went on to be Commander Royal Armoured Corps at Headquarters 1st (British) Corps in 1974 and, having been promoted to brigadier on 31 December 1974,[7] he became Assistant Chief of Staff at Allied Forces Central Europe in 1976.[1] He became Director Royal Armoured Corps on 8 December 1978[8] and was promoted to major-general on 19 February 1980.[9] He was Defence Services Secretary from 1982[10] to 1985, when he retired.[11] On 21 March 1985, Palmer was appointed Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO).[12]

Palmer was appointed Honorary Colonel of his old regiment, the 14th/20th King's Hussars on 15 February 1981.[13]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "PALMER, Maj.-Gen. Sir (Joseph) Michael". Who's Who 2012. A & C Black. December 2011.
  2. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 38535. p. 746. 11 February 1949. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
  3. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 39096. p. 6379. 22 December 1950. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
  4. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 40354. p. 7209. 17 December 1954. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
  5. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 42545. p. 9290. 19 December 1961. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
  6. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 44885. p. 6783. 1 July 1969. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
  7. 1 2 The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 46046. pp. 9388–9389. 7 August 1973. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
  8. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 47738. p. 330. 8 January 1979. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
  9. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 48229. p. 8995. 23 June 1980. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
  10. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 48879. p. 1402. 1 February 1982. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
  11. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 50128. p. 7058. 20 May 1985. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
  12. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 50061. p. 3482. 26 March 1985. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  13. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 48540. p. 3074. 2 March 1981. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
Military offices
Preceded by
Sir Leslie Townsend		 Defence Services Secretary
1982–1985 		Succeeded by
Sir Richard Peirse
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