 Scholfield was born in Talangatuk East, Victoria, where he attended state schools and became a farmer.He enlisted to serve in World War I in January 1915, fought with the 21st Battalion at Gallipoli and in France, and received the Military Medal and Military Cross, returning to Australia in June 1919.He subsequently became a soldier settler in the Balmoral area before acquiring a farm near Hamilton, and was a councillor and president of the Shire of Kowree.