George Henry Joseph Oberhoffer

George was born 1885 in York, England; his father, Robert Werner, was a composer and music teacher from Trier, Luxembourg and his mother, Maria, was from Hildesheim, Germany; he had one sister, also called Maria. Oberhoffer's grandfather, was also a renowned musician: he was a Member of the Academy of St. Cecilia, Rome, and a pioneer in the revival of Plainchant.  George attended Ampleforth College, where his father was a teacher, before studying at Cologne Conservatoire of Music under Karl Voss and Van der Sant. George was Professor of Music at the Dusseldorf Conservatoire from 1906 to 1908 before coming to Longford. 

George served as Professor of Music in St. Mel's College and organist in St. Mel's Cathedral Longford, 1910-1913, and was popular in Longford having organised annual concerts and recitals. He left for Uppingham School, Rutland, where he was remembered kindly: "If ever there was a man of peace it was George Oberhoffer. A passionate lover of nature, enthusiastic over his work, he did the small things of this life as if they were of the greatest importance, infusing an atmosphere of cheery optimism wherever he went."

Pte Oberhoffer enlisted at Epsom in January 1915. He was mortally wounded by a gun-shot wound to the head whilst on sentry duty, and succumbed shortly after. His death was announced locally in the Longford Leader on the 18 March 1916. He was remembered by a fellow soldier: "He was the most popular man in the section. His character was a beautiful one, and he lived near to God."

The Tablet April 1916; Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry;