Wilfrid lived in Bournville, Birmingham and was an accountant. Offered by his tribunal only non-combatant service within the army, he refused, and was sentenced a number of times to close to 3 years hard labour in Wormwood Scrubs and Dorchester. He reported in 1917, to be in “good health and spirits, and much peace and joy in prison and growing confidence in the future triumph of righteousness … Hugh Gibbins [fellow CO from Birmingham] is with me and it is good to be able to compare notes.”

Wilfrid was finally released in April 1919.