Peter Gautrey

Captain Peter Gautrey DK (17 September 1918 – 7 February 2014), sometimes referred to as Dato Utama Peter Gauntrey, was a diplomat and formerly the British High Commissioner to Brunei, Swaziland and Guyana.

Early life
Gautrey was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire and educated at Abbotsholme School from 1931 to 1935. On 18 March 1936, he began work as a clerical officer in the Home Office and later Executive officer on 1 July 1942. Amid the outbreak of the Second World War, he enlisted into the XII Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) on 20 October 1939. He was commissioned on 10 May 1941 and later promoted to the rank of Captain in 1945. He served in India and Burma from April 1942 to October 1945. On 30 April 1946, he was released from service.

On 1 September 1947, he became a Higher Executive Officer, Assistant Principal at the Commonwealth Relations Office on 19 January 1948, Private Secretary to Permanent Under-Secretary of State from 26 September to 31 December 1948, became a Principal on 1 January 1949, First Secretary at United Kingdom Embassy in Dublin from October 1950 to April 1953, Delhi from September 1955 to September 1957, member of United Kingdom Delegation to UNESCO in 1956, and Assistant secretary on 1 May 1961. That same year, he began work in the West Africa Department of the Commonwealth Office, and as the Counsellor within the British High Commission in India until March 1963. He would then be promoted to Deputy High Commissioner of that same place until 1965. He became an Inspector from 1965 to 1968.

Diplomatic career
Gautrey's diplomatic career began after being appointed as the High Commissioner to Swaziland from 2 September 1968 to 1971. On 12 January 1972, he was appointed as the high commissioner in Brunei in which he will hold until 1975. Him together with his wife arrived at Berakas Airport at 16:40 on 17 January, and were welcomed by Isa Ibrahim. On 14 January 1974, he returned to Brunei after going on a vacation, with Deputy High Commissioner J.W. Moffatt taking over. On 16 January 1975, a celebration was held at Istana Darul Hana in conjunction to the completion of his three years service to Brunei. He departed Brunei afterwards on that same day. His successor, James Alfred Davidson arrived at Berakas Airport two days later. Lastly, he would be the high commissioner in Guyana from March 1975 to 1978.

Death
Gautrey passed away on 7 February 2014.

Honours
Peter Gauntrey was given the title of Yang Terutama (His Excellency) Dato Laila Utama by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. He would go on to earn the following awards;

National

 * UK Order St-Michael St-George ribbon.svg Order of St Michael and St George Companion (CMG; 1972)
 * Order of the British Empire (Civil) Ribbon.svg Order of the British Empire Member (CVO; 1961)

Foreign

 * Brunei:
 * BRU Family Order of Brunei 1st Class.svg Family Order of Laila Utama (DK; 1972) – Dato Laila Utama