Geoffrey was born around 1889, the son of William and Sarah Whitehead. His father was obviously a prosperous worsted spinner because in 1891 they had resident a cook, a housemaid, a waitress and three nurses to take care of four children. On 26 October 1917 a report in the Shipley Times & Express read: Lieut Geoffrey Nield Whitehead, the third son of Mr W A Whitehead of Langley Bank, Baildon, chairman of the Bradford Licensing Justices, has been killed in France. No details are given as to the circumstances under which Lieut Whitehead, who was 28 years of age, met his death beyond the announcement in the telegram: “Killed instantly by the bursting of a shell. The late lieutenant who was attached to the Royal Flying Corps, was educated at Shrewsbury and Oxford. Before joining the colours he was associated with his father in the business of W & J Whitehead, top makers and worsted spinners, New Lane Mills, Laisterdyke. He was married and resided in Menston*. He leaves a widow and one child, a boy of three years of age. Two brothers of his are also serving, Lieut Norman Whitehead in the Navy and Lieut Gordon Whitehead in the Royal Flying Corps. *The CWGC notice of Geoffrey’s death gives his wife’s name as Kathleen living at Aketon Close, Spofforth, which might have been the home of her parents.