George Robert Jeff was born at Hartwith in 1886, one of ten children born to John and Isabel Jeff. The 1911 Census records him working as a horseman on the farm of Samuel Slater at Scotton; also working at the farm was a younger brother, Fred.
George voluntarily enlisted into the army in the last week of September 1914, and disembarked at Havre with 107th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery on 31st August 1915. The brigade took part in the Battle of Loos from 25th to 29th September, moving northwards towards the end of October into the Ypres sector where its guns were located in the area of Dickebusch Lake. On 17th November, a day which the brigade war diary recorded as "situation normal", George was unluckily caught in the explosion of a stray shell. He died the following day at No. 10 Casualty Clearing Station, Remy Siding, south-west of Poperinghe. A letter addressed to his parents at Beckwith Cottages from his officer, Lieutenant Gilbert Frankland, was published in the Harrogate Herald of 1st December:
I am very sorry indeed to have to inform you of the death of your son George, who was my groom. He was hit by a chance shell while taking the horses to a safe place, and though everything was done for him he died in hospital the following day, the 18th. Unfortunately, I could not be with him, as the brigade was in action, and I could not leave my post; but he had every medical comfort, and a Christian burial. I’m afraid this will be a dreadful shock to you, but at any rate he died doing his duty and serving his King and country. His loss is very sad to me, as during the whole time we have been out here he had been a most devoted and faithful soldier - never flinching from his duty and never grumbling. During the Battle of Loos he was with me all the time, and as brave as a man could be. All his comrades in the headquarter staff join me in sending you their very deepest sympathy in your sad loss.
George lies buried close to the site of the casualty clearing station where he died, at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. The inscription on his headstone, chosen by his parents, reads HE DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE.