John F. M. Millard, OBE (1958), MBE (Military), was born in 1911. He was educated at St. Andrew's College, Grahamstown, South Africa; and St. John's College, Cambridge, England. In 1934 he joined the Colonial Service in Basuto, working as a clerk (1934) and as private secretary to the high commissioner (1934-1936). He transferred to Tanganyika as an administrative officer (cadet) in 1937. After military service (1940-1945), during which he attained the rank of lieutenant colonel and was mentioned in despatches, Millard was seconded to the Colonial Office (1945-1947). He was appointed District Commissioner in the Bechuanaland Protectorate in 1952, and became an administrative officer, staff grade, in 1954.