Palmes was the second son of Francis Palmes of Carcraig and Elizabeth Taylor, daughter of Thomas Taylor of Ballyport, County Limerick. The Palmes family of Carcraig was a cadet branch of the Palmes family of Naburn.[1]
The Duke of Marlborough recommended Palmes for appointment to the rank of brigadier-general.[2] On 1 January 1704 he was promoted to this rank, having already been commissioned as a brevet colonel of horse on 1 July 1702.[2][4][Note 1] Palmes commanded a brigade as well as his regiment at the Battle of Blenheim, Wyndham himself serving in Portugal and being unable to lead the regiment.[5] Reports from the battle state that 'hardly anyone was more instrumental to the success of that day' than Palmes.[2]
A poem from 1707 recognised the close relationship between Palmes and the Duke of Marlborough and stated that Palmes was to marry Marlborough's illegitimate daughter and receive a portion of £10,000.[2] He was promoted to major-general on 1 January 1707 and lieutenant-general on 1 January 1709.[2][4] He served as colonel of his old regiment the carabineers from 1 October 1707 to 2 April 1712, then serving as colonel of a 'newly raised' regiment of dragoons from 22 July 1715 until his death.[4]
Political positions
Palmes stood at the by-election on 23 January 1707 for West Looe and was successful. He did not stand for re-election in 1708.[2]
^Marlborough's patronage of a similar note was also received by two other Irishmen, the Earl of Cardogan and Thomas Meredyth in the mid-1700s. Palmes was closely associated with the two. The Duke of Marlborough was accused of practising favouritism on Cadogan, Palmes and Meredith.[2]