Universities at War

George was educated at King’s College and at St Bartholomew's Hospital between 1882 and 1886. He later graduated as a doctor in medicine for practitioners of 15 years standing in September 1902. He was the youngest son of the late James Edsell, of Beulah Hill, Norwood [a direct descendent of Capt James Cook] and Phoebe Caroline; and was the husband of Annie Isabel who he married at Byfleet on 14th July 1887. They had six children.

George joined the Oxfordshire Light Infantry in 1889 as a surgeon, at the rank of Surgeon-Lieutenant, and retired 10 years later as Captain. In 1908, when the Territorial Force was organised, he joined the R.A.M.C. - 3rd Home Counties (83rd) Field Ambulance, with his former rank. He was soon promoted to Major, then in 1911 promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, and on the outbreak of war in August 1914, he volunteered for foreign service and went with a detachment to France, arriving on the 21st December 1914.

Whilst in France he contracted pleurisy but continued to fulfil his duties until the condition of his health became so serious that he was invalided home in April 1915. He died at home at Surbiton.