Person    | Male  Born 16/11/1880  Died 13/12/1962

William Wagstaff

Categories: Sculpture

William Wagstaff

William Wheatley Wagstaff. Sculptor, architectural sculptor, stone carver, sculpture business and foundry owner.

Born Keighley, West Yorkshire. By 1910 he had moved to London. WW1 he was employed as a draughtsman in an aircraft factory.

"In 1920 Wagstaff joined the firm of 'Arts and Crafts' in Shanghai, China in answer to an advertisement for a sculptor. A few years later he opened his own sculpture, ornamental plaster and metal work studio and workshop with a Chinese workforce in the Great Western Road, Shanghai. With the help of his two sons, Donald (1904-41) and Alec (1908-43), W.W. Wagstaff & Sons were well known in the Far East before the Second World War with branches in Singapore (run by Alec) and Hong Kong (run by Donald)."

Both sons died serving in WW2. "William Wagstaff and his wife, Mina, were interned in China during the war. In 1946 they decided to sell up their business and return to England, they landed in 1947. From 1947-61 the Wagstaffs lived in Kent and then moved to Edinburgh in 1961 to be close to family."

Wagstaff spoke perfect Shanghai dialect. Hunch-backed, Wagstaff was nicknamed "Lao Doo Pei", meaning "Old Hunchback". His son, inevitably, was called "Sau Doo Pei" – "Young Hunchback."

Information from the always-useful Mapping Sculpture and Public Art Around the World.

This section lists the memorials created by the subject on this page:
William Wagstaff

Creations i

Deptford war memorial

The memorial is now in the Borough of Lewisham. Deptford ceased to exist as a...

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HSBC lions

This pair of lions have an interesting history - closely connected to the HSB...

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Other Subjects

George Edward Wade

George Edward Wade

Born London, baptized at the church where his father was rector, St Anne's Soho. Died at home, 30 Hyde Park Street. In the picture Wade is front left.

Person, Sculpture

7 memorials
Leon-Joseph Chavalliaud / Chavaillaud

Leon-Joseph Chavalliaud / Chavaillaud

Sculptor.  Born Reims France.  Came to Britain in 1890s and stayed for fifteen years living in Brixton.  Died France.

Person, Sculpture, France

2 memorials
John Gibson (sculptor)

John Gibson (sculptor)

Sculptor. Born near Conwy, Wales. Other work in London: Molyneux Mausoleum in Kensal Green Cemetery. Died Rome.

Person, Sculpture, Italy, Wales

1 memorial
Alfred George Stevens

Alfred George Stevens

Sculptor. Born Blandford Forum. Spent most of his life and energy creating the Wellington memorial in St Paul's Cathedral. The railings with lions (also by Stevens) around this were originally, 185...

Person, Sculpture, Belgium

2 memorials
Ashim Paul
1 memorial