John Miller Martin

Sir John Miller Martin (15 October 1904 – 31 March 1991) was a British civil servant who served as Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, during World War II. The position is a public, rather than private post. He was present at the most important strategic conferences and was knighted in 1952.

Early life John Miller Martin, born on 15 October 1904, was the son of the reverend John Martin (Church of Scotland). He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy and won a scholarship to Corpus Christi College, Oxford.

Career Having passed the civil service examination in 1927 he joined the Colonial and Dominion offices. After four years in Malaya he was appointed in 1936 as secretary of the Palestine Royal Commission.

In 1940 he transferred from the Colonial Office and was appointed to Churchill's staff at No. 10 as assistant private secretary. He wrote "admirable English" which Churchill considered essentail, had beautiful manners, was seen to be highly intelligent and was immensely conscientious. In his memoirs hurchill referred to Martin's "ascetic, clear-cut face".

He was awarded a Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in the King's Birthday Honours 1943, an Order of the Bath (CB) in the 1945 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours and was knighted (KCMG) in the 1952 New Year Honours.

Personal life He married Rosalind Ross, daughter of Sir David Ross, in 1943. The union bore one son. Sir John Martin died on 31 March 1991 at the age of 86.