Pte George Soffe, 32262, 6th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action on April 11th, 1917. He was aged 20 and was the third member of the Luton News staff to have died on the battlefield.

Second Lieut C. W. Nathan wrote to parents Austin and Emily Soffe at 57 Park Road West [later Strathmore Avenue], Luton, that their son was shot by a sniper while advancing on the enemy. Death was instantaneous and painless, and George had been buried on the field of action at a place he was not allowed to name. [George Soffe is now included on the Arras Memorial to soldiers with no known grave location].

Born in Lilley in January 1897, George Soffe moved to Luton with his family and was engaged as an apprentice in the composing room of The Luton News in Manchester Street. He was also a member of King Street Congregational Church P.S.A. [Pleasant Sunday Afternoon].

He had joined the Essex Regiment (6360) in March 1916 and was subsequently transferred to the Beds Regiment. He had trained at Halton Camp and saw active service after November 1916 on the Ancre and at Vimy Ridge.