Sergeant Wadland was born in Devon. He was the oldest son of George and Alice Wadland, farmers in Avon Dassett.

Private Wadland enlisted in the Warwickshire Yeomanry in 1908 having previously served in the Imperial Warwickshire Yeomanry since 1903. He took part in local training sessions between 1905 and 1914 at Warwick Park and Salisbury Plain. He was promoted to Corporal on 14th May 1901, Lance-Sergeant on 28th May 1911 and Sergeant on 20th February 1912. He was embodied on 5th August 1914 and was with the expeditionary forces in Egypt. He was discharged 30th October 1915 having been found medically unfit for further service. His condition was attributed to his military service.