Edwin Cyril Geddes Barrett

Edwin Cyril Geddes Barrett CMG (15 February 1909 – 1986) was a British colonial administrator who served as the last British Adviser of Kedah from 1954 to 1957.

Edwin Cyril Geddes Barrett
British Adviser, Kedah
In office
1953–1957
Preceded byArthur Bawtree Cobden-Ramsay
Succeeded byPost abolished
Personal details
Born15 February 1909
Died1986
NationalityBritish
SpouseEleanor Nelson Raymond
Children1 son
Alma materJesus College, Cambridge
OccupationColonial administrator

Early life and education

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Barrett was born on 15 February 1909, the son of Colonel C.C.J. Barrett. He was educated at Marlborough College and Jesus College, Cambridge.[1]

Career

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In 1931, Barrett joined the Malay civil service as a cadet, beginning his career as secretary to the British Adviser, Kedah.[2][3] For the next eleven years, he served in many posts in Malaya and Borneo. During World War Two he performed military service, and after the war rejoined the Malay civil service.[1][4]

In 1949, he was appointed Chief Registration Officer, Federation of Malaya,[5] in 1951 he was President of the Municipal Council of Kuala Lumpur,[6] and the following year he was appointed Commissioner for Resettlement of Special Constables in Civilian Life, Federation of Malaya.[1][4][7]

In 1953, he was appointed Acting British Adviser, Perak and a member of the Perak State Council,[8] but was transferred later the same year to the post of British Adviser, Kedah, remaining in the position until 1957 when the post was abolished.[1][4][9]

He retired from the Malay civil service in 1957 and became a lecturer in the Malay language at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.[1][4]

He retired in 1971, and died in 1986.[1][4]

Personal life

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Barrett married Eleanor Nelson Raymond in 1936, and they had one son.[1]

Honours

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Barrett was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 1958 Birthday Honours.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Who's who : an annual biographical dictionary with which is incorporated men and women of the time. Internet Archive. London : A. & C. Black. 1981. p. 148. ISBN 978-0-7136-2030-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. ^ "Civil Services". The Straits Times. 18 October 1930. p. 12.
  3. ^ a b "The Queen honours 2,200 of her subjects". The Straits Times. 12 June 1958. p. 1.
  4. ^ a b c d e Cook, Chris (2012-10-02). The Routledge Guide to British Political Archives: Sources since 1945. Routledge. p. 14. ISBN 978-1-136-50961-2.
  5. ^ "Councillors Must be Citizens". The Straits Times. 22 February 1949. p. 7.
  6. ^ "New Chief for KL Council". Singapore Standard. 3 December 1952. p. 4.
  7. ^ "Jobs will be waiting for 15,000 'Specials' demobbed this year". The Straits Times. 13 February 1953. p. 8.
  8. ^ "4 New Councillors are Sworn In". Singapore Standard. 9 April 1953. p. 4.
  9. ^ "British Adviser to retire". The Straits Budget. 3 September 1953. p. 12.