Background
Jelf was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the son of Colonel Richard Henry Jelf, formerly commandant of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and Margaret Jelf.
Jelf was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the son of Colonel Richard Henry Jelf, formerly commandant of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and Margaret Jelf.
Wilfrid was educated at Cheam School and Eton College before attending the Royal Military Academy.
He fought in the South African War and First World War. Jelf appeared in three first-class matches for Leicestershire as a right-handed batsman. He scored six runs with a highest score of 6.
After graduating from the Royal Military Academy, Jelf was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery in 1899.
Jelf served in the Boer War from 1899 to 1902. He was mentioned in despatches and received the Queen"s Medal with five clasps and King"s Medal with two clasps.
He was promoted to captain in 1908 and served as adjutant of the Nottinghamshire Territorial Force from 1908 to 1912. Promoted to major in 1914, he served throughout the First World War.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1915.
He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1918 and from April to July of that year served as temporary chief instructor at the Royal Military Academy. In 1926, he was appointed commander of the 46th Division, and in 1927 appointed Assistant Adjutant-General at the War Office. From 1930 to 1931, he commanded the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division.
From 1931 to his retirement in 1932, he was garrison commander and commandant at the Royal Artillery Depot in Woolwich.