Stanier Waller
Mayor of Oxford 1919/20
Stanier Waller (1844–1930) was born at Tatchbrook in Warwick on 13 August 1844.
On 23 April 1879 he married Sophia Willes, daughter of William Willes of Astrop House, Northamptonshire. The 1881 census shows them aged 36 and 35 respectively living at Guildford House in Farnham, Surrey with the first of their four children, Louisa (7 months), who had been born in London. The family was looked after by a cook, housemaid, nursemaid, and nurse.
Waller served for 38 years in the Royal Engineers. In 1882, after active service in Egypt, he was made a Brevet Major
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.
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. In 1915, when he was living at 28 Bardwell Road, he was elected Sheriff of Oxford.
Waller was also County 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 that year, and was unanimously elected Mayor. He was proposed by Alderman Bevers, who described him as "a youthful prodigy" (this at the age of 74!) and seconded by Alderman Sherwood, who said that Waller had "the warmest affection and esteem from every member of the Council".
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 M.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