George Harris was born on 7 December 1887 at Chevening in Kent, the son of George and Mary Harris. George Harris became a Merchant Seaman Officer serving in a number of square riggers and, on 7 August 1914, he was serving as the Second Mate on the BEACON GRANGE.

He was commissioned as a Temporary Sub Lieutenant, Royal Naval Reserve on 21 January 1915 and was promoted to Acting Lieutenant on 23 July 1915. He joined submarines on 4 September 1915 and was appointed to HMS E24 as Navigating Officer on 9 January 1916. E24 was lost in the North Sea on 24 March 1916. It is believed that the submarine was lost after hitting a mine. There were no survivors.

George Harris is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial on Panel No 22.