He was born in Southbank, British Columbia, the son of Jack Shelford.[2][3] Shelford served as an anti-aircraft gunner during World War II. After the war, he married Barbara Cassidy.[4] Shelford was a member of the provincial cabinet, serving as Minister of Agriculture from 1968 to 1972 and then again in 1978 and 1979.[3] He was defeated when he ran for reelection to the assembly in 1972 and 1979.[5] He died in 2001.[3]