George was the President and such a charming "doyen" of the archivists. Having left Birkenhead School in 1933, he and many others joined the T.A., served with distinction in World War II, and returned with them, to pursue a career in insurance in Liverpool. He was very keen on his family origins, in the Levant on his father's side, and always insisted on the capital "D", unlike most who begin their surname with "de".
 

His funeral was held in Birkenhead School Chapel on Friday 1st August 2008; all the archivists will miss him greatly.