# Eric Ernest Falk Pretty

Eric Ernest Falk Pretty CMG (1891–1967) or commonly referred to as Dato Pretty, was a civil servant and resident minister who formerly held the position of British Resident to Brunei.

## Education and early career

Pretty is born in 1891, and was educated at Harrow School and Magdalen College in 1909. He would go on to be a cadet in the Straits Settlements with Colonial Office in November 1914. Later in January 1916, he passes his final exams in Malay language. In September 1917, he became a collector of land revenue in Johore Bahru. After World War I, he became a 2nd Lieutenant and assistant Adjutant with the Johore Volunteer Rifles in May 1918. Later in June 1920, he was the assistant adviser in Endau, Johore, following promotions to officer in November 1921 and assistant secretary "B" in February 1922. Two months later, he was reassigned as a private secretary to the Office of the Attorney General.

## Diplomatic career

From March 1923 to 1926 and 1927 to 1928, Pretty became the British Resident to Brunei, only to be promoted to officer class III and reassigned as the district officer of Krian in June 1928. In December 1930, he was the commissioner of lands and mines in Trengganu, secretary to the high commissioner from July 1931 to 1937. Then he became the undersecretary to Government of the Federated Malay States from 1940 to 1942. Resident commissioner in Johore in 1948. From 1948 to 1951, he was appointed for the third time as the resident minister to Brunei.
In 1957, he became an agent for the Brunei Government in the United Kingdom. On 8 March 1966, he arrived at Berakas Airport during a month-half vacation back to the country of Brunei alongside his wife. As the time of the visit, he was 75 years old and still working with the government of Brunei. He expressed high hopes and praise to Bruneian students studying in the United Kingdom, whom he claims to be of good-natured and passionate. Additionally, he described the government in the 1920s as poor and efforts had to be carried out in small increments. He stayed in the Istana Edinburgh and had organised visits to places in the country. He had an interview with Pelita Brunei as follows:
   The people of this state already have good houses and the number of government servants us mostly made up of locals. In 1924, I and some local people worked on the construction of a road from Brunei (Brunei-Muara) to Tutong. But this time I cant't help but feel amazed when I pass by that road that been repaired to such an extent.
He died in June 1967. After his death, his position as representative was succeeded by Sir Dennis White, based at the 101 Grand Building, Trafalgar Square.

## Personal life

Pretty was married and had a daughter named Cynthia Valerie Mary Pretty (24 July 1941 – 13 November 2020). His father was Herbert Pretty.

## Honours

Pretty was bestowed the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) by Queen Elizabeth II during the 1951 New Year Honours on 1 January. Additionally in 1962, he was awarded Order of Setia Negara Brunei (DSNB) by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, meanwhile his wife was awarded the Omar Ali Saifuddin Medal First Class (POAS). British Residents in Brunei including Pretty were given the honorary title of Yang Berhormat (The Honourable).
Things named after him
* Jalan Pretty, a road in Bandar Seri Begawan.
* Jalan Pretty, a road in Kuala Belait.
National
* Order of St Michael and St George Companion (CMG; 1 January 1951)
Foreign
* Brunei:
** Order of Setia Negara Brunei (DSNB; 1962) – Dato Setia
** Omar Ali Saifuddin Medal First Class (POAS; 23 September 1962)
** Omar Ali Saifuddin Coronation Medal (31 May 1951)