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Walter Waller was a cousin to William Caffyn, the cricketer; their fathers were brothers. Walters father (Walter senior) worked with Williams father as a hairdresser in Reigate before Walter senior set up business in Dorking following his marriage to Harriet. Walter senior also played cricket for Surrey on one occasion but did not have the skill of his nephew.
The 1851 census reveals Walter senior and his family living in Dorking; Walter senior is working as a hairdresser and he & Harriet have two children; Mary who is three years old and Walter who is just one year old (he was christened on the 3rd April 1850 in Dorking). Walter had two other siblings; Frederick born in 1853 (and possibly died a few years later) and Harriet born 1856.
Walter was a skilled painter, he specialised in painting landscapes including harvest scenes and river views. He exhibited his paintings as the Royal Academy from 1876 until his death as well as the Royal Society of British Artists and Royal Institute of Oil Painters. He generally painted views of local areas in Surrey and Sussex but also made visits to Yorkshire to paint the moors. He also colaberated with another painter, H L Rolfe, Walter would paint the landscape for Rolfes angling figures.
Walter married Eliza and they had four children; Douglas Ethelstone christened 6th October 1873; Edith Mary christened 15th August 1875; Ella christened 23rd January 1876 (died aged 10 years) and Nellie Frances born 1878. The 1881 census shows them living in Dorking; Walter lists his occupation as landscape painter.
Walter died in 1897.
A search of the internet reveals some of Walters paintings which are currently for sale. The scene show immediately below entitled The Surrey Highlands (16”x27”) is expected to earn £10,000 plus and another of the River Rother (16”x27”) is for sale for between £5,000 and £10,000. I have come across greetings cards which use his landscapes.
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