Geoffrey was the second son of James and Kate Neligan. He had two siblings, Cecily and Maurice, who was also killed in the war. Their father was a local doctor in the Barnard Castle area.
He enlisted in the 1st Battalion of the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in 1916 and then Lieutenant in 1918.
Teesdale Mercury-22/10/1919: Notes from the higher dales: Service to dedicate marble tablet