George Erroll Prior-Palmer

Military career From Sandhurst, Prior-Palmer was in August 1923 commissioned as a second lieutenant into the 9th Lancers, in which his elder brother Otho Prior-Palmer was already serving. He was promoted captain in 1930, and in November 1933 was seconded as adjutant in the Territorial Army. After the outbreak of war, in 1940 he saw active service in North West Europe, where he was mentioned in despatches, and in 1944 took part in the Normandy landings as commander of the 27th Armoured Brigade, serving on the continent until 1945. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1941, colonel in 1946, and brigadier in 1948. In 1946 he went to Washington, D.C., as military attaché at the British Embassy, a two-year posting. In 1951 he was promoted major general and given command of the newly reformed 6th Armoured Division. In 1953 he returned to Washington, D.C., as Commander, British Army Staff, and Military Member, British Joint Services Mission, this time remaining for three years. He was President of the Regular Commissions Board from 1956 to 1957 and retired from the service in 1958.

Prior-Palmer was a member of the Cavalry and Guards Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club and in retirement lived at Appleshaw House, Andover, Hampshire. He died on 18 August 1977.