Pte George Jenkins, 18252, 2nd Battalion Beds Regt, died on September 30th, 1915, from wounds sustained two days earlier in the Battle of Loos. Some military records suggest he resided in Stopsley, but Press reports at the time described him as from Hockliffe.

Born in Newbury, Berks, on November 5th, 1893, Pte Jenkins married Florence Rose Bleaney, the daughter of Walter and Annie Bleaney, from High Street, Upper Houghton Regis [now High Street North, Dunstable], in early 1914. Their daughter, Florence May, was born in July of that year.

Pte Jenkins joined the Duke of Bedford's Training Depot at Ampthill in November 1914, and went to France in June 1915. He is commemorated on the Ampthill Park War Memorial.

In an article headlined "Hockliffe man dies of wounds", The Luton News said Mrs Jenkins received official notification of his death along with a letter written by her husband after he had been wounded. In the letter he wrote: "I write these few lines for fear this war should be out parting. Take this advice from me...never get married any more. If I have done anything wrong, or if I have hurt your feelings, I hope you will freely forgive me."

The report said Pte Jenkins evidently faced death bravely, for in another part of the letter he wrote: "If it should be that I meet my fate out here, don't let it grieve you, as I have only done an able man's duty for God, King and country, and to help protect loved ones."

Florence's brother, Pte Bertie Bleaney, 201383, 4th Battalion Essex Regiment, also died in combat "on or after" March 27th, 1917, and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial in Israel. His parents are then listed at 59 Duke Street, Luton. Bertie is included on the Luton Roll of Honour.