Harrogate Herald - 5th December 1917

Roll of Honour

Second Lieutenant Robert Wilford, of the Yorkshire Regiment, was killed in action in the fighting on the Cambrai front on November 23rd. He was a son of the late Robert Wilford and of Mrs Wilford, of Yarm, Stockton-on-Tees, and nephew of Mr T E Wilford, Franklin Mount, Harrogate, and of the firm of Messrs Wilford & Howard, Yorkshire House, Harrogate. The news was contained in a letter from a brother officer, who spoke of Second Lieutenant Wilford meeting a hero's death, gallantly leading his men against the enemy. The young officer was intended for the scholastic profession, for which he had shown brilliant qualities, and had gained several scholarships, and the profession loses a promising student by his death. He was at the Nottingham University when war broke out, being already in the OTC, and he subsequently received a commission in a Yorkshire regiment. He was, a short time ago, home on leave, and spent a few days in Harrogate. Of three chums who went out together, two have now made the great sacrifice.

Harrogate - 12th December 1917

Roll of Honour

The following letter has been received by Mrs Wilford, mother of Second Lieutenant R Wilford : 

"Dear Mrs Wilford, I cannot tell you how exceedingly sorry I am that I am compelled to be the bearer of bad news. Your son, Lieutenant Wilford, was killed on the 23rd ult., during an attack on very strong enemy positions. He was leading forward his men at the time, cheering them on, and encouraging them in a particularly brave and gallant fashion, when he was shot through the head and killed instantly. We are all exceedingly sorry to lose Lieutenant Wilford. His ready smile and sunny disposition, his bright and winsome personality, had endeared him to everyone, and every remaining officer and man in the battalion mourns with you the loss of such a fine and gallant soldier. His personal effects will be collected and sent to you through his bankers as soon as possible. If there is anything that I can do for you, please do not hesitate to write and ask. I shall esteem it a great privilege to be able to do anything in memory of such a gallant lad and personal friend. With the sincerest and most heartfelt sympathy with you in your great and sad bereavement.

I am yours very sincerely,

William Brownlie, Captain RAMC

SDGW

Alexandra, Princess of Wales (Yorkshire Regiment)

5th Battalion (Territorial)

2Lt Robert Wilford

Killed in Action - 23rd November 1917