In Newcastle (St John Westgate & Elswick) Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of:

18763 Private
G.W. Jeffrey
Royal Inniskilling Fus.
28th August 1919.

 Transferred to (662166) Labour Corps

George William had a very chequered service career. He enlisted on 8th January 1915 at Newcastle upon Tyne and gave his address as 7 Monk Street, Newcastle. He was almost 31 years old when he enlisted and stated that he had previously served 6 years with 5th Northumberland Fusiliers (Militia).

He was declared a deserter on 11th September 1915 from the 3rd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers from Londonderry, Northern Ireland and was apprehended in Newcastle on 27th October 1915, dressed in plain clothes. He was arrested and tried by the A.C.M. and was sentenced to 9 months detention, with all former service forfeited.

George suffered a gunshot wound to his right hip in May 1915; was gassed on 28th April 1916 and transferred to England on 16th May 1916. He was gassed again on 24th July 1917 and then transferred to B.O. Depot on 2nd November 1917.

On 7th January 1918 he was again declared a deserter and on 30th March 1918 was confined awaiting trial at Randalstown, Northern Ireland, where he stood trial on 29th April 1918. He was found guilty on 1st May 1918 and was sentenced to 56 days’ detention.

He was transferred to the Labour Corps (662166, Private) at Newtownards, Northern Ireland on 29th August 1918.

Acknowledgements: Ron Carson

The name of George William Jeffrey does not appear on a local war memorial.