He was born in Fallow Corner, North Finchley; the second son of Geoffrey Staniland, a solicitor, and his wife Millicent Ellen Marianne Leather.
[1] Staniland joined the Royal Air Force in March 1924 on a Short Service Commission.
In November 1925, he was promoted to Flying Officer, and four years later to Flight Lieutenant, by then in the Reserve (RAFO), Class A.
In 1931 he drove an MG Midget to victory with the Earl of March at the Junior Car Club (JCC) race.
Staniland married Evelyn Mary Gregorie at Southampton register office on 29 June 1929, followed by a church ceremony at St. Peter's-in-Eastgate, Lincolnshire, on 19 February 1930.
[1][39] Staniland was killed in an accident on 26 June 1942, aged 36, when his aircraft, Z1827, the second Fairey Firefly prototype, broke up over Sindlesham (now in the Borough of Wokingham).