MR WALTER WILKINSON WALLACE CVO CBE DSC
Mr Wallace was born on 23 September 1923 and educated at the George Heriot School, Edinburgh. He joined the Royal Marines in 1942 and was awarded the DSC for gallantry at Walcheren in 1944. He reached the rank of temporary Captain before demobilisation in 1946.
In 1948 he joined the Colonial Service and was sent to Sierra Leone, serving as an Assistant District Commissioner and sub- sequently as Assistant Colonial Secretary and Clerk to the Executive Council. From 1955-57 he was seconded to the Colonial Office and shortly after his return to Sierra Leone became acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Housing and Communications. From 1961-62 he was a Provincial Commissioner and from then until his retirement from HMOCS in 1964 was Development Secretary. From 1964-67 he served on contract terms in the Bahamas as Establishment Secretary and from 1967-73 was Secretary to the Executive Council of Bermuda. He then acted as HM Commissioner, Anguilla, for three months from July to October 1973. He was appointed Governor of the British Virgin Islands in July 1974, remaining there until November 1978.
Mr Wallace was awarded the CBE in the Birthday Honours 1973 and the CVO on the occasion of The Royal Visit to BVI in the Autumn of 1977.
He is married with one son and one daughter, both adult.
Mr Wallace is an excellent all-round officer, energetic, thorough and level-headed. He is confident but modest and establishes excellent relationships with colleagues and members of the public by his charm of manner. His term of office as Governor, BVI, was successful. He is no innovator neither is he the sort of man who will rock the boat or take an active part in influencing local politicians. He kept the BVI Government solidly and safely on course, but at the fairly leisurely pace which suits the people of the region.
STAFF IN CONFIDENCE - INDIV