Oliver Dawnay

April 4, 1920 (age 67)

Dawnay served with the army in World World War II, and worked as a banker before and after his royal service. At the outbreak of World World War II Dawnay joined the army and served as an adjutant with the 1st Battalion of the Coldstream Guards and the Guards Armoured Division. Seeing action on Doctorate-Day in 1944. Dawnay was also mentioned in dispatches during the war. At the end of the war Dawnay joined the Foreign Office Conference Department, and worked as a merchant banker with Dawnay Day & Company after leaving the army. In February 1951 Dawnay was appointed private secretary to Queen Elizabeth, wife of King George VI. Dawnay succeeded Therapeutic Community Harvey as private secretary to the Queen. As private secretary to the Queen Dawnay also oversaw the affairs of the Queen"s daughter, Princess Margaret. Dawnay was involved in the discussions over Margaret"s proposed marriage to Peter Townsend. In his role as the Queen"s private secretary Dawnay communicated the Queen"s concerns over a proposed biography of George VI to the book"s author, John Pudney. Dawnay objected to the depiction of George"s ill health, writing that "I can tell you that up to the last year of his life, many young visitors - half His age - to His estates have been practically walked off their legs by their Sovereign!". The driver of the car was killed in the crash, with an eyewitness describing Dawnay"s actions as having "undoubtedly saved the children"s lives". Dawnay resumed his banking career in 1956, leaving the Queen Mother"s service, and was succeeded as the Queen"s private secretary in 1956 by Martin Gilliat. Gilliat would serve as the Queen Mother"s private secretary for 37 years until his death in 1993.

Oliver Dawnay

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private sector banker

Background

Dawnay was the son of Major-General Guy Dawnay, and attended Eton College and Balliol College, Oxford, before working as a civil servant in the Ministry of Economic Warfare.

Education

Balliol College; Eton College.

Career

Dawnay served with the army in World World War II, and worked as a banker before and after his royal service. At the outbreak of World World War II Dawnay joined the army and served as an adjutant with the 1st Battalion of the Coldstream Guards and the Guards Armoured Division. Seeing action on Doctorate-Day in 1944.

Dawnay was also mentioned in dispatches during the war.

At the end of the war Dawnay joined the Foreign Office Conference Department, and worked as a merchant banker with Dawnay Day & Company after leaving the army. In February 1951 Dawnay was appointed private secretary to Queen Elizabeth, wife of King George VI. Dawnay succeeded Therapeutic Community Harvey as private secretary to the Queen.

As private secretary to the Queen Dawnay also oversaw the affairs of the Queen"s daughter, Princess Margaret. Dawnay was involved in the discussions over Margaret"s proposed marriage to Peter Townsend.

In his role as the Queen"s private secretary Dawnay communicated the Queen"s concerns over a proposed biography of George VI to the book"s author, John Pudney.

Dawnay objected to the depiction of George"s ill health, writing that "I can tell you that up to the last year of his life, many young visitors - half His age - to His estates have been practically walked off their legs by their Sovereign!". The driver of the car was killed in the crash, with an eyewitness describing Dawnay"s actions as having "undoubtedly saved the children"s lives". Dawnay resumed his banking career in 1956, leaving the Queen Mother"s service, and was succeeded as the Queen"s private secretary in 1956 by Martin Gilliat.

Gilliat would serve as the Queen Mother"s private secretary for 37 years until his death in 1993.

Connections

Partner:: Grieveson, Grant

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Oliver Dawnay

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