W. R. Townley

William Richard Townley (born 1877) was a British trade unionist.

Born in Northampton, Townley left school at the age of ten to work at an engineering firm, later moving to a boot-making company. During World War I, he sat on a military service tribunal, making decisions on exemptions from conscription. This created controversy when he came before the tribunal himself and was granted six months' exemption by his colleagues.

Townley was also active in the Labour Party, and was elected to Northampton Town Council, representing the North ward. He additionally served as a magistrate.