The sad news of the death in France from the wounds of Corpl. Sidney Asher of Sunderland has been closely followed by the tragic message that Sergt. George Jacobs R.A.M.C., who only a few weeks ago received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallant conduct in the field in rescuing and collecting wounded under heavy shell fire, had died of wounds on the 10th inst. Sergt. George Jacobs was one of three sons of Mr and Mrs. Israel Jacobs, 9 The Elms, West Sunderland, who volunteered their services for King and Country, the other two being Captain Cyril Jacobs, Medical Officer for the Licolns and Mechanic Harold Jacobs, who is in the Royal Flying Corps.
Educated at Argyll House School and apprenticed as a mining engineer at the Wearmouth Colliery, he was one of the first young men in Sunderland to respond to the call of Lord Kitchener in September 1914 and he secured rapid promotion by his splendid conduct and bravery in the field. He had just been recommended for a commission when he received his fatal wounds. His death is thus not only a grievous loss to his parents and the great number of his relatives and friends in the North of England, but also a real loss to the Army and to the cause for which he has given his life.
The sympathy of the Jews of Sunderland will go out to Mr and Mrs. Israel Jacobs and the rest of the bereaved relatives, who so soon after the death of Corpl. Sidney Asher (a nephew to Mr and Mrs Jacobs) have again been plunged into mourning and have no to bewail to loss of another young life full of promise and the early termination of a career distinguished by heroic deeds and rendering honour to the name which the fallen soldier bore. The Knowledge that by his deeds of gallantry and by his self-sacrifice their son has shed honour upon the Jewish name, and thus also served the cause of the Jewish people, will I hope, go a long way to comfort Mr and Mrs Jacobs and enable them to bear the loss with fortitude, with courage and with hope.