George was born on 18th September 1921 in Plymouth, England, and was the youngest of 3 children. George migrated with his family to WA through the Group Settlement Scheme in 1927 aboard the Thermostodiles, primarily because his sister’s health necessitated a warmer climate.

They arrived in Albany to be met by cold and wet conditions and were immediately trucked to the Karri Forests where their allotment included a tin shack complete with a Metters Stove and no doors or windows. While on board ship his father made his sister a dress from fabric purchased in Colombo. The trip through the Karri Forest was eventful with rain and the truck being frequently bogged. Life was hard with kerosene tins used for bed frames and little or no privacy. His mother purchased a cow for fresh milk which was provided for the community.

George’s family were the first to make the break and moved to Denmark where they lived in a tent. During this time he broke his arm and if not for the insistence of his mother, his arm would have been crippled as the Albany “refugee” doctor wanted to set it across his chest. She insisted it be straight so that he would be capable of chopping wood and other activities. His father worked for the railways and before the war the family lived in Williams and Boyanup, where George's early education was by correspondence.

George was a mechanic by profession and he enlisted in the RAAF in 1941, training as an aircraft mechanic. He served in the workshops in Darwin and was discharged in 1945 as a Leading Airman. His career included working for MacRobertson Miller Airlines, Gilbarco, James Hardie and Kevinator. In 1947 he married Natalie McLeish and the couple had four children. It was when he moved to Perth that he decided to learn to play bridge.

He started playing friendly bridge at his kitchen table with Dorothy Snow and Helen Priestly, who had been Wireless Operators in the Airforce during the war. He spent seven years in the Rosendorff School in Nedlands, and while living in Belmont he and others replied to an advertisement from the Mayor to form the South Perth Bridge Club. This was duly organised with the help of the Council and Incorporated with members' debentures. They were able to secure a loan and after four years moved into their own premises and their commitment was paid off in eight years. He was Secretary of the SPBC for four years.

In 1984 he retired and moved to Mandurah to enjoy the good life - fishing, rabbing, gardening and bowling. He was an avid reader and loved bridge. He started playing bridge with a small group using rooms hired out in the old Brighton Hotel. A succession of other venues, including the Recreation Centre, Leslie Street Senior Citizens and George’s house, were utilised for their one night a week sessions. Over this period the tables increased from three to seven, but they decided to limit the playing group to the over 55's. While in the Leslie Street Centre it was necessary for him to carry the playing material and tables in  his car over a three year period. Helen Priestly and Dorothy Snow were active in helping George run the bridge sessions, and George was Secretary at the Leslie Street Centre for 2 years. There followed stints at Halls Head Bowling Club and the Mewburn Centre, and the Club eventually moved to Gordon Road. During most of this period George taught the ACOL system to newcomers. The Club became incorporated prior to the move to Gordon Road and George became the inaugural President. His one disappointment was not being able to convince the members to take out a loan to purchase or secure their own premises.

George had a large family - four daughters, nine grandchildren and nine great- grandchildren.

George was a Life Member and a wonderful servant of the Mandurah Bridge Club. The Club is deeply indebted to George for the major contribution he made in its early development.

Thanks to two members of the Mandurah Bridge Club who helped me prepare this article, Ross Proudfoot who interviewed George in 2010 for a feature article in the Club’s newsletter, and to Val Bell who spoke to his friends from the early days.

George disappeared in 2013 September.