The Very Reverend William Cyril Mayne was born in 1877, son of the Canon J. Mayne of Chippenham and was educated at Westminster and Trinity College, Cambridge. He held the post of Assistant Master at Eastbourne College between 1899-1906, entered the Church as a Deacon in 1906 and held the post of Assistant Master at Rugby School between 1907-12. Next appointed Assistant Curate to All Saints, Poplar, he entered the Army as Chaplain 4th Class on the outbreak of hostilities, becoming Chaplain 3rd Class in 1916. After the War he became Principal of Bishop's College, Cheshunt, 1920-25, Rector and Rural Dean of Poplar, 1925-30 and Vicar of Chiswick, 1930-34. He then took up the position of Professor of Greek and Classical Literature at the University of Durham, 1934-43 and was Rural Dean of Durham, 1940-43.