| Walter Ian James Wallace | |
| Honorific Suffix: | CMG OBE |
| Birth Date: | 18 December 1905 |
| Alma Mater: | St Catharine's College, Cambridge |
| Known For: | Assistant Under-Secretary of State at the Colonial Office (1962-66) |
| Occupation: | Civil Servant |
| Nationality: | British |
Walter Ian James Wallace (18 December 1905 – 17 December 1993) was Assistant Undersecretary of State at the Colonial Office (1962–66).[1] He was Chief Secretary to the Government of Burma (1946–47).[2] [3]
Wallace was born on 18 December 1905, the eldest son of David Wallace of Sandgate, Kent. He was educated at Bedford Modern School and St Catharine's College, Cambridge.[1]
Wallace entered the Indian Civil Service in 1928 and was posted to Burma where he became a Deputy Commissioner (1933), Settlement Officer (1934-38), Deputy Commissioner (1939–42) and Defence Secretary (1942–44). He worked in the Military Administration of Burma as Colonel and Deputy Director of Civil Affairs (1944–45) where he was mentioned in despatches.[1] After World War II, he was appointed Chief Secretary to the Government of Burma (1946–47).[2] [3]
In 1947 Wallace joined the Colonial Office where he became Assistant Secretary (1949–62) and Assistant Under-Secretary of State (1962–66) until his retirement.[1]
Wallace was awarded the OBE in 1943,[4] and was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1957.[1]
In 1940 Wallace married Olive Mary, fourth daughter of Colonel Charles William Spriggs of Southsea. His wife predeceased him in 1973. Wallace died on 17 December 1993.[1]