Lilian, James, Joan & Alexander Stannard outside their home in Haversham

ALEXANDER MOLYNEUX STANNARD

From The Stannards of Bedfordshire
by
Anthony Lester

Alexander Molyneux Stannard, was born on September 11th, 1878 at Woburn in Bedfordshire, the second son of Henry Stannard and Ruth Willsher.

Like his brother, Sylvester, he received his early art training from his father and often attended the art classes at Dame Alice Street in Bedford. On May 31st, 1900, Alexander married Miss Lilian Greaves, the second daughter of Alfred Greaves, deceased of Field House, Haversham, Buckinghamshire, at St. Mary's Church, Haversham. Their honeymoon was spent in the picturesque countryside of Devonshire and, needless to say, his watercolour box and brushes accompanied him.

In 1900 he submitted his watercolour, 'The Edge of a Common', to the Royal Society of British Artists and to his delight it was duly accepted and hung, this being his first London showing. He did not aspire to the London galleries very frequently but did, however, support Henry's yearly 'Academy of Art' exhibitions in Bedford. The 'Bedfordshire Times' for December 24th, 1909 mentions one such exhibit as, "a fine rural scene, in which the sun throws a mellow light on the foliage and farm buildings."

After his marriage Alexander took up residence at 'The Bungalow', Haversham but in 1909 moved to Wellingborough where he remained until 1913 when he moved to 'The Elms', Biddenham, near Bedford. He later opened a studio at 49, Conduit Road, Bedford where he received many pupils— drawing, painting and sketching from nature all being part of the curriculum. Among his pupils was Miss Kathleen Cook, who exhibited at the Women's Academy Exhibition held at Olympia in 1923.

As a master of watercolour painting Alexander cannot be ranked very highly. His work, although often competent, did fluctuate considerably in quality. There are, however, some attractive and well-painted examples of his work to be seen, but the collector must learn to discriminate between his 'pot boilers' and his quality works— a strong case for the fact that a 'known' name is no guarantee of an accomplished work of art. He did have the minor distinction, however, of being made a member of the Royal Drawing Society in 1909 — two years ahead of Sylvester.

Alexander died in 1975 at Olney in Buckinghamshire.
Alexander Molyneux Stannard was buried Feb 17th aged 96 - Haversham Church


Lilian Stannard was buried January 17th 1963 at Haversham Church


James Alfred Stannard Molyneux son of Alexander & Lilian Stannard was baptised Jan 13th 1901 - Haversham Church
James Alfred Stannard was buried May 8th 1974 aged 73 - Haversham Church


Joan Molyneux daughter of Alexander & Lilian was baptised Nov 8th 1903 - Haversham Church
Joan Stannard was buried on October 27th at St. Mary's Church, Haversham

JOAN MOLYNEUX STANNARD
From The Stannards of Bedfordshire
by
Anthony Lester

Joan's life is somewhat veiled in obscurity. She was born in Newport Pagnell in the summer of 1903 (christened in St. Mary's Church, Haversham), the only daughter of Alexander Molyneux Stannard, under whom she studied art.

She appears to have exhibited very little, although it is on record that she showed a watercolour at the Women's Academy Exhibition which was held at Olympia in 1923. Joan's vocation in life seems to have been as an art teacher and one who identified herself with charitable causes. She often used her artistic talent to raise money for organizations, one example being a picture she painted entitled, 'There will always be an England', for which she arranged a competition in aid of the 'Urban Area Spitfire Effort'. Joan Stannard's speciality was painting flower gardens and autumn tints and while her subjects were generally charming, her work is for the most part undistinguished.

Joan married the chief clerk at Lloyd's Bank, Wolverton, one William Edward Wenham and moved from Haversham, Buckinghamshire to 43 London Road, Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire. However, on Thursday morning, October 22nd, 1942 tragedy struck. Joan had planned to go to Bedford and received a lift from a commercial traveller by the name of Owen Charles Jones. In driving along they saw a lorry approaching over the top of Black Horse Bridge at Great Linford. Jones applied his brakes but lost control of the car, which plunged into the Grand Union Canal and in consequence both were drowned. Joan Stannard was buried at St. Mary's Church, Haversham on October 27th and the esteem in which she was held was amply demonstrated by the many mourners at her funeral.

A book to tell your more about the family of artists - "The Stannards of Bedfordshire" by Anthony J. Lester, Eastbourne Fine Art, 1984


Paintings by Alexander Stannard





1922 Sale

LOT 7

(Coloured Pink on Plan No. 1)

The Freehold Reversion

of a BUNGALOW and SITE extending to .250 of an acre, let on a lease for 50 years
from xmas 1917 to Lilian Stannard* at a Ground Rent of £2 per annum.

* (If her Mother should so long live)