Wilfred Bleaden was the son of the Reverend W H Bleaden, Vicar of St Mary's, Paddington. He was educated at St Edmund's School, Oxford (1899-1905) and at Brasenose College (1905-1908). While at the University he gained his blue and was amateur champion of the long jump (1908); he was also included in the British Olympic team that year. He obtained his BA degree with honours in 1909, and after qualification held house appointments at St George's Hospital. During the first world war he served in the Royal Navy from 1914 to 1919 with the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. After the war he entered general practice and lived in Ashley Gardens, SW1. He held the appointment of visiting apothecary at St George's Hospital, and was a medical referee to several insurance companies. He died at his home on 30 August 1965, survived by his wife.