Eric Norris

Sir Eric George Norris (14 March 1918 – 15 March 2005) was a British diplomat who served as High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Kenya and High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Malaysia.

Early life and education Norris was born on 14 March 1918, the son of H. F. Norris. He was educated at Hertford Grammar School and St Catharine's College, Cambridge.

Career After serving from 1940 to 1946 in the Royal Corps of Signals during World War II with the rank of major, Norris entered the Dominions Office, London in 1946. His first posting was to Ireland at the British Embassy, Dublin from 1948 to 1950. After serving in the UK High Commission in Pakistan, (1952–1955) and the UK High Commission in Delhi, (1956–57), he was appointed Deputy High Commissioner for the UK in Bombay, remaining in the post until 1960. In 1961, he spent a year on sabbatical at the Imperial Defence College before he returned to India as British Deputy High Commissioner in Calcutta, serving in the post from 1962 to 1965.

After retiring from the diplomatic service Norris held directorships in Inchcape & Co; London Sumatra Plantations Ltd, and Gray Mackenzie Ltd, and in 1979, led a trade mission from the London Chamber of Commerce to Sabah and Sarawak.

Personal life and death Norris married Pamela Crane in 1941 and they had three daughters. Norris was chairman of the Royal Commonwealth Society from 1980 to 1984. and promoted to Knight Commander (KCMG) in the 1969 New Year Honours. He received the honorary appointment as Panglima Mangku Negara from Malaysia.