William Girling

William Henry Girling (1872-1 October 1958) was a Labour Party politician in the Shoreditch area.

Girling began work as a Post Office messenger boy. By the age of 18 he was involved in union activities as a strike organiser. He was later employed as an Inspector of Shops by the London County Council.

In 1906 he was elected to Shoreditch Borough Council, and remained a member until his death. in 1919 he beacme first Labour mayor of the borough. He held the office four times: his wife was Shoreditch's first female mayor in 1930.

From 1948-1953 he was Chairman of the Metropolitan Water Board. A reservoir at South Chingford was named after him.