Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John and Mary Wilford. The 1911 census records for Little Bowden Farm, Little Bowden, Market Harborough, Leicestershire. John Wilford, head of the family and a Domestic Milk Man, born 1865 in Clipston, Northamptonshire and his wife Mary, born 1864 in Clipston, Northants., also John, son, single and a Domestic Waggoner, born 1889 in Guilsborough, Northants., Mabel, daughter, single and a Domestic Mothers Help, born 1895 in Guilsborough, Northants., George, son, and a Domestic Milk Boy, born 1897 in Cold Ashby, Northants., Edith, daughter and a Schoolgirl, born 1899 in Cold Ashby, Northants., additionally Isaac Wright, boarder, single and Domestic Milk Boy, born 1889 in Pickwell, Northants and Larrie Smith, boarder, single and a Domestic Milk Boy, born 1892 in Langton, Leics. John was twice Mentioned in Despatches.