Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Jesse Wilford, a Relieving Officer and Registrar of Births and Deaths, born 1856 in Wymeswold, Leics., and his wife Keturah Wilford (nee Roberts), born 1855 in Heckington, Lincs. Herbert was a schoolboy and was born in 1885 in Asfordby, Leics., his siblings were, Charlotte R., a schoolgirl, born 1882 in Loughborough, Leics., and Mabel S., born 1888 in Asfordby, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at Main Street, Waltham on the Wolds, Leics. In April 1911 Herbert was serving as a Lance Sergeant with the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards and was stationed at Chelsea Barracks, London. In the second quarter of 1913 Herbert married Lilla Emily Weedon in the Godstone, Surrey Marriage Registration District. In the fourth quarter of 1914, their daughter Doreen L. W. Wilford was born in the Croydon Surrey Registration District. His widow and daughter were residing at 3, Police Quarters, Factory Gate, Royal Dockyard, Woolwich, London. On Friday November 27th 1914 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES.- Happily the number of local casualties reported during the past week has been considerably less than of late, but it is with regret we have to announce that Mr. Jesse Wilford, relieving officer, Melton Mowbray, has lost his son, Company Sergt. Major Wilford of the Scots Guards, in action. The intimation was conveyed to him this week in a letter from Captain Paynter, deceased’s commanding officer, who states that Sergt. Major Wilford was killed by shrapnel, death being instantaneous. Deceased has been associated with the Scots Guards practically since his school days, for he only served a short time in the Post Office before entering the army as a drummer boy. He was one of the best shots in the regiment, and more than once won the sergeant’s cup. With the Colour Sergt. and another Sergt. Major he has also several times carried off the trophy cup open to the Guards Brigade. He was greatly esteemed by his officers, who regarded him as an exceptionally smart drill instructor. As a cricketer Sergt. Major Wilford has earned considerable renown in the army, and frequently he has been the only non commissioned officer included in the teams selected by the Household Brigade for their important matches. Deceased was only married about a year ago, and his wife has just recently given birth to a daughter. Much sympathy will be felt for the bereaved parents and widow. Our Waltham correspondent writes:- We greatly regret to record the death of Sergt. Major Wilford, Paymaster of 2nd Battalion of Scots Guards, killed in action in Belgium. The sad tidings were sent to his father, Mr. Jesse Wilford, by Capt. G. Paynter, who spoke in strongly appreciative terms of Sergt. Major Wilford’s work. He also notified that he was struck in the head by shrapnel, and killed instantaneously. The news cast a gloom over Waltham, where the whole family were so well known, added to which was a feeling of pride for the gallant soldier, the first of Waltham’s sons to lose his life on the field of battle in this war. Though born at Asfordby, Sergt. Major Wilford came to Waltham at the age of four years. He received his education under Mr. Higgens, and entered the band of the Scots Guards in 1901, on the day of the late Queen Victoria’s funeral. As soon as he was old enough, he enlisted in the ranks of the 2nd Battalion, with a resolve to make it his profession, and by strict adherence to duty and study, he rose to his present rank, and there is little doubt had he lived he would have gained a commission. He was a fine athlete, a good all round cricketer and footballer, and an excellent marksman. He was universally beloved at Waltham, and when at home on furlough entered heartily into all social affairs. He was particularly fond of his old school, and sent regularly, loyal and hearty greetings to his old master and the boys, never missing a telegram to the Boy Scouts at their annual New Year’s gathering. The greatest of sympathy is felt for his young wife, so soon a widow, and his two weeks old daughter, as well as his father and mother who idolised him. The great consolation to them is that they are the parents of a heroic British soldier, who died at the post of duty and honour. He was 29 years of age, having been in the army 13½ years.