George was born in Gainsborough Lincolnshire, the family later moved to Exeter. At age 20 he became an employee of the Western Omnibus Company until 1938 when he joined the Royal Navy and moved to Plymouth, Devon.

On 6th May 1939 he sailed for Hong Kong where he was attached to HMS Dorsetshire then HMS Tamar a shore based ship. He worked in the pay office.

George was captured on 25th December 1941 after the invasion by the Japanese. He was taken to North Point camp on the island then on to Shamshuipo camp on the mainland.

On 1st October 1942 1816 POWs were boarded on the Lisbon Maru for transportation to Japan. Conditions were squalid. The ship was torpedoed by USS Grouper and sank. Hatches had been closed on the hold containing the POWs but he managed to escape. He was eventually picked up by the Japanese and taken to Osaka Prison Camp where he remained until 2nd September 1945.

After liberation George volunteered to stay behind to assist the Americans locate other POW camps.

After the war George married in 1948 and in 1950 had his only child Joy.

He remained in the Navy serving in Ceylon and Mauritius. He then joined the Royal Fleet Auxilary.

George died on 9th December 1988 aged 70 years.