Sir George Arthur Falconer

Sir George Arthur Falconer (3 June 1894 – 18 September 1981) was a British diplomat who served as minister to Nepal from 1944 to 1947 and ambassador to Nepal from 1947 to 1951.

Biography

Falconer was born on 3 June 1894, the son of E. J. Falconer. He served in World War I in the 4th Hussars and the Indian Cavalry. He subsequently rose to the rank of captain in 1921; to major in 1935; and lieutenant-colonel in 1943.

After serving as assistant consul-general at Meshed from 1919 to 1921, Falconer entered the Indian Political Service in 1923. He then served as under-secretary at the Persian Gulf Residency from 1924 to 1926, before he was transferred to Aden as assistant Resident, a post he held from 1927 to 1929. and then political agent at Bhopal from 1942 to 1944. He was minister and head of the Legation in Kathmandu from 1944 to 1947, and elevated to the new office of ambassador to Nepal in 1947, a post he held until he retired in 1951.

After retiring from the Foreign Service, Falconer played a prominent role in the public life of Suffolk. He was a member of West Suffolk County Council for many years, serving as its vice-chairman from 1965 to 1970. He was deputy lieutenant and high sheriff of the county, and elected alderman in 1966. He was appointed Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) in the 1942 Birthday Honours. In 1944, he was awarded the Medal for Distinguished Battle Service. In 1957, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem (OStJ).