William Stafford (1837–1884), one of founders of the nineteenth century UK labour movement and supporter of the Liberal-Labour party.
They also started a family and by 1875 had 6 children: Ellen b.1862 John Goodacre b.1863; William b.1865; Annie b.1869; Harry b.1870; Violet b.1875.
Stafford's interest in politics begun early in his life when he took an active part in the community being both a member of the St.Saviour's Guardians and the St.Saviour's Board of Works.
He would become a good friend and supporter of George Odger, who played a prominent part in the early Trade Union movement.
Austen Henry Layard, one of the members for the Metropolitan Borough of Southwark, has been appointed by Her Majesty the Queen to the post of Ambassador to the Court of Spain.
Soutter was enthused and organised a meeting in a room at The Rising Sun public house near Blackfriars Bridge.
To this meeting he invited Will Stafford, William Allan (the General Secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers), and the South London Branch of the National Sunday League.
[3] George Odger's friends from the Southwark campaign would be asked to give up a whole week of work and pay their own rail and hotel expenses.
Along with Mr Fielding, he persistently agitated against the now defunct St.Saviour's Church Rate, and by repeatedly allowing his goods to be seized and sold, at length called public attention to its iniquity.
Her opponents, within the Liberal Party, satirically described Will Stafford and Francis William Soutter as "Helen's Babies".