Wilfred Wallis

Wallis was educated at Christchurch Boys’ High School and in 1910, began studying medicine at the University of Otago.

He was one of a number of medical students from Otago who were involved in the smallpox epidemic in late 1913, helping with a vaccination drive amongst the Māori population in the North Island, who were the most vulnerable to the virus.

[1] At the time, the NZEF was heavily engaged in the Gallipoli campaign and its casualties had been treated in British hospitals in the area.

This was a rehabilitation centre for returning wounded soldiers but when it transitioned to civilian use and control, under the auspices of the Department of Health, he advocated strongly for local Māori to utilise its services, rather than relying on tribal sources of medical treatment, such as herbs or tohunga.

Along with noted orthopaedic surgeon, Alexander Gillies, he helped found the New Zealand Crippled Children Society in 1935, becoming its vice-president.

[1] During the Second World War, Wallis returned to military service by becoming the superintendent of a convalescent hospital for servicemen in Rotorua, holding the rank of colonel.

In the 1948 New Year Honours, his work with returned servicemen was recognised with an appointment as an officer of the Order of the British Empire.