Oliver Dawnay
Oliver Payan Dawnay | |
|---|---|
| Born | Oliver Payan Dawnay 4 April 1920 |
| Died | 18 March 1988 (aged 67) |
| Occupation(s) | Civil servant, banker, stockbroker |
| Years active | 1940s–1980s |
| Known for | Private secretary to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (1951–1956) |
Oliver Payan Dawnay CVO (4 April 1920–18 March 1988) was a distinguished British civil servant, banker, stockbroker, and served as private secretary to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother between 1951 and 1956. His military service during World War II was followed by a career in banking both prior to and following his royal appointment.
Early life and military career
The son of Major-General Guy Dawnay, he received his education at Eton College and Balliol College, Oxford. He initially joined the Ministry of Economic Warfare before World War II commenced. During the war, he acted as adjutant with the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards, and later with the Guards Armoured Division, taking part in the D-Day operations in 1944. Recognised for his service with a mention in dispatches, he subsequently transferred to the Foreign Office Conference Department. After the conflict, he embarked on a career in merchant banking with Dawnay Day.
Role as Private Secretary to the Queen Mother
Dawnay was appointed private secretary to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in February 1951, following T. C. Harvey's tenure. His responsibilities extended to managing affairs for both the Queen Mother and her daughter, Princess Margaret. Notably, he was involved in discussions concerning Princess Margaret's potential marriage to Peter Townsend. Additionally, he conveyed the Queen Mother’s objections regarding a biography of King George VI, advocating for the monarch’s strength despite his health challenges.
In July 1951, Dawnay attracted international recognition after rescuing a woman and her three children from a vehicle submerged in the River Blackwater near Reading, Berkshire. Although the driver perished in the accident, witnesses credited Dawnay with saving the children’s lives.
Career after royal service
Following his departure from royal duties in 1956, Dawnay returned to banking. He was succeeded by Martin Gilliat, who remained private secretary to the Queen Mother for 37 years until 1993. From 1961 until 1980, Dawnay was a partner at Grieveson, Grant & Co., a stockbroking firm. Throughout his life, he maintained a close friendship with the Queen Mother. In 1963, he married his second wife, Iris Peake, who had previously served as a lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret.