Stanier Waller
Mayor of Oxford 1919/20
Stanier Waller (1844–1930) was born at Tatchbrook in Warwick on 13 August 1844.
Waller joined the Royal Engineers in c.1864, and served with them for 38 years. On 23 April 1879 he married Sophia Willes, born in Leamington in c.1845 and the daughter of William Willes of Astrop House, Northamptonshire, and they had the following children:
- Louisa Waller (born in St George’s, London in 1880)
- Stanier Edmund Waller (born Farnham, Surrey in c.1881)
- Wathen Waller (born in Farnham, Surrey in c. 1886)
- Michael H. Waller (born in Farnham, Surrey in c.1888)
- Dorothy Waller (born Aldershot, Hampshire in c.1891).
The 1881 census shows Stanier Waller (36) and his wife Sophia (35) living at Guildford House in Farnham, Surrey with Louisa (7 months). The family was looked after by a cook, housemaid, nursemaid, and nurse.
In 1882, after active service in Egypt, Waller was made a Brevet Major.
The 1891 census shows Major Waller (46) living in barracks at Aldershot with his wife and first four children. Two years later, on 25 June 1893 Waller’s wife Sophia died at the age of 47.
In 1897 Waller was made a Colonel, and in that year (five years before his retirement) he moved to Oxford, where he commanded the University Volunteers for some years.
The 1901 census shows Colonel Waller (56) on his own at 28 Bardwell Road with three servants.
In 1902 Waller was awarded the CVO, and in 1904 was granted an honorary MA by the University.
Waller was elected on to the City Council as the Conservative representative for North Ward in 1905. He served on the Waterworks, Highways, Education, Allotments, and Library Committees.
The 1911 census shows Waller (66) still at 28 Bardwell Road, but this time accompanied by his son Stanier Edmund (29) and daughter Dorothy (20). They had a cook, a lady’s maid, and a parlour maid. Waller is described as a retired Colonel RE and a University Lecturer.
Waller wasCounty Director of the Red Cross in Oxford and in 1918 was awarded the OBE.
In 1919 Waller managed to hold on to his seat despite the big Liberal victory, and was unanimously elected Mayor of Oxford (for 1919/20). He was proposed by Alderman Bevers, who described him as “a youthful prodigy” (his age was 74!) and seconded by Alderman Sherwood, who said that Waller had “the warmest affection”.
Waller was made an Alderman, but did not seek re-election after the extension of Oxford’s boundaries in 1929.
Waller died at his home at 174 Banbury Road on 14 June 1930 at the age of 85. His funeral was at St Michael & All Angels Church, and he was buried at Wolvercote Cemetery. His three younger children (Dr Walthen Waller, the Revd Michael H. Waller, and Miss Dorothy Waller) all survived him.
See also:
- Oxford Times, 20 June 1930, pp. 12d, 13g
- 1881 Census: Surrey (Farnham), 787/65