Oliver Stanton (1865-1915), Automobile instructor to the Prince of Wales
c1865 Born in Fort wayne, Indiana, USA
1897 October. Advertisement. 'BICYCLING IN WINTER. Mr. OLIVER STANTON, assisted by a competent staff, gives daily instruction in REGENT’S PARK. Arrangements can be made for private lessons in the BOTANICAL GARDENS. Mounting and dismounting taught by an entirely new method. He has had the honour of teaching, among others, Gen. Sir Evelyn and the Misses Wood, Gen. Sir Francis Grenfell, Gen, Robert and Mrs. Grant, Col. and Mrs. Barron, Col. Bolton Monsell, Col. Witlah, Col. Douglas and Mrs. Scott. Capt. Sandbach, R.E., Capt. Matthews. Only High-grade PREMIER machines are used prospectus post free on application to MR. OLIVER STANTON. 63, WIMPOLE STREET'[1]
1901 Boarding in a Coventry hotel. Living on own means.[2]
1904 STANTON, M. Oliver, 5, Cornwall Mansions, Clarence Gate, W. Is a well-known motor "coach." Taught his Majesty, King Edward VII. how to drive a motor-car. Is an American by birth, and hails from Fort Wayne, Indiana. He commenced his motoring career in 1897, and started with the Daimler Company. Was the originator of the first motor funeral in the world, the function taking place at Coventry in 1900. [3]
1904 November. 'Mr. Oliver Stanton, in his advertising days, before he became motor expert his Majesty, and accepted a position with the Bristol Automobile Company, which since resigned, inaugurated motor car funeral ...'[4]
1907 August. Image in a car and entitled 'The King's Chauffeur: Mr. Oliver Stanton'[5]
1908 Resident in Fulham Workhouse.
1909 December. Sails from Liverpool to USA with his wife on the SS Umbria.
1911 Living at 63 Charlwood Street, St Georges Road, South Belgravia: Oliver Stanton (age 45 born America), Licensed Taxi Driver - B. M. C. Cab Co.[6]
1912 February. Some details about. Appears to have hit hard times. Has been to California but now returned. Wife very ill.[7]
1915 March. Died. 'Staff-Sergeant Oliver Stanton, whose death is just reported, could claim the unique distinction of having taught a king how to ride a bicycle. To him fell the duty of teaching the late King Edward. His Majesty was a keen cyclist, a taste that is shared many members of the Royal Family. Staff-Sergeant Stanton was well-known in Coventry.'[8]
1915 March. 'The death is announced Mr. Oliver Stanton, who taught the late King Edward to ride a bicycle. The late King was on the Riviera and was ordered to take exorcise, but found walking too fatiguing. Someone suggested cycling and Stanton, who was a well-known teacher — he had a school on the outer circle of Regent's Park — was sent for and arrived with a selection of machines, for the King’s use. His Majesty learnt; but was never very fond of the pastime and believe a little mild riding a tricycle in the grounds Buckingham Palace was the extent of his cycling experience-. King George, on the other hand, was at one time a regular cyclist and it is well known that the Prince of Wales, when England, uses his machine almost daily When I last saw Stanton, which is not very long ago, he was wearing the diamond scarf pin presented to him by King Edward, which he was exceedingly proud.'[9]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Army and Navy Gazette - Saturday 30 October 1897
- ↑ 1901 Census
- ↑ Motoring Annual and Motorist’s Year Book 1904
- ↑ Nottingham Evening Post - Saturday 19 November 1904
- ↑ Illustrated London News - Saturday 03 August 1907
- ↑ 1911 Census
- ↑ The Autocar 1912/03/09
- ↑ Coventry Standard - Friday 26 March 1915
- ↑ The People - Sunday 28 March 1915