C. S. Wallis

Charles Steel Wallis (1874–1959) was a British Church of England priest, British Army chaplain, and academic. From 1902 to 1912, he was a tutor then Vice-Principal of the London College of Divinity. He was a military chaplain during World War I. From 1919 to 1945, he was Principal of St John's College, Durham, and a lecturer in ecclesiastical history and in logic at Durham University.

Early life Wallis was born in 1874 to William Wallis, a solicitor. He was educated at Hatton House School, Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire.

Career Following school, Wallis studied at the London College of Divinity and completed the universities preliminary theological examination (the exam for none-degree ordinands) in 1902. He was then ordained in the Church of England. He continued his studies at Durham University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1906 and a Master of Arts (MA) degree in 1909. During his time leading the college, he extended its size, acquired further buildings and increased its finances. At various times, he was a lecturer in ecclesiastical history and in logic at Durham University, sub-warden of the colleges, and a member of the Durham University Council. In July 1915, he sailed for the Dardanelles and the Gallipoli Campaign. His duties on the transport ship included taking services, keeping up the spirits of the men and censoring the troops letters home. Ashore, he duties included basic first aid (undressing troops and washing wounds), giving last rites and holding funerals. He would also accompany hospital ships taking the wounded from the battlefield to hospitals in Egypt or Malta; he continued his basic first aid duties, services, funerals and additionally acted as letter writer for the wounded.

Selected works