George was born on 31 March 1916 in Ealing, Middlesex to Polish born parents Jacob and Rachel née Silbermann and had an older brother Samuel and younger sister Nora. Jacob worked as a timber merchant and was a member of the Freemasons.

George attended Brighton College between 1929 and 1932 where he was a prefect in Bristol House and won an exhibition. After finishing school he became a cinema manager and also served in the Civil Air Guard obtaining his pilot’s licence in 1938. He enlisted in October 1939 and although he was qualified to fly he was trained as an observer.

George was the observer on Blenheim V6267 which departed RAF Horsham St Faith on a low level operation to attack shipping at Rotterdam. The aircraft was hit by flak and the pilot attempted to land in a park and eye-witnesses reported seeing the aircraft, over Rotterdam with the port engine on fire. The park was full of children and the aircraft then pulled up to avoid them and the aircraft’s wingtip hit the Courthouse and plunged into the bank of the Noordsingel canal killing all three crew.

Pilot, Wing Commander Thomas Noel Partridge, 37574
W/Op, John Oscar Noel Smith, DFM, 550971