1931
(474)
(Boot and Shoe Factor)
Son of Mr. Robert Wilford of Leic.; born 23 December 1879, educated at the Alderman Newton's School, entering a wider sphere of public work at the age of twenty-one. His path to the council was not an easy one, as he contested four different elections before his pertinacity was rewarded, 11 December 1912, when he was returned for No. 5 the Latimer Ward. This seat he made his own until his election and promotion to the aldermanic bench 22 May 1928. In 1916. he organised "ye olde Englishe Faire" in Leic. Market Place, to raised funds for disabled warriors of the Great War.
Ald. Wilford, a man of energetic labour principles, acted as party whip 1914, 1922, has served on numerous committees, was appointed a J.P. in 1924, and elected Leicester's fifth Lord Mayor 10 November 1931. From 1921 to 1925 he was chairman of the Health Committee, during which time he raised funds, out of which a Convalescent Seaside House for consumptives was purchased and presented to the city. He was president of the Pageant of Leic. in 1932. At the present time (1935) he is chairman of the Parliamentary and General Purposes Committee and the Watch Committee.
He married 10 February 1905 Miss Nellie Sharpe, by whom he has had issue five sons. The Wilfords are a family of great antiquity in co. Leic. In the reign of Henry VII the senior branch were seated at Laughton, later they moved to and acquired freehold property at Lubenham, some of the members eventually taking up their abode at Market Harborough and Leic.
Residence 1935: "Park View," Hinckley Road, Leic.
