Joan Bernard

Joan Constance Churchill Bernard, FRSA (6 April 1918 – 1 August 2012) was Principal of Trevelyan College, University of Durham from its foundation in 1966 to 1978. During World War II, she was an officer of the Auxiliary Territorial Service and was instrumental in Britain's defense against V-1 and V-2 rockets. In later life, she was active in the Church of England.

Early life Bernard was born on 6 April 1918, to Admiral Vivian Bernard and Eileen Mary Churchill. Her father was still married to his first wife when she was born, and only married Eileen Mary in 1926. She was educated at Ascham School, an independent girls school in Sydney, Australia. She studied Literae Humaniores at St Anne's College, Oxford. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1940, which was promoted to Master of Arts (MA (Oxon)) degree in 1943. In the latter part of the war, between 1944 and 1945, She served in SO Air Defense Division. Between July and November 1945, she was posted to Special Projectile Operations Group. She was mentioned in dispatches for her wartime service in 1945. By August 1945, she held the rank of Junior Commander (equivalent to captain). She was the departments admin officer. She returned to education in 1957 and began the study of theology at King's College London. She graduated Bachelor of Divinity (BD) in 1961.

Bernard was elected a Fellow of King's College (FKC) in 1976. She was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) in 1984.