George Powerlett stated that he was born in East Melbourne on 7 December 1884. However his grand-daughter, Valerie Weber, has unearthed a slightly different story. According to the Victorian Police Gazette he was found abandoned in the Cricket Reserve (Yarra Park) on 20 December 1883. His birth was later registered under the name of his then foster mother as George Powlett Martin, his name obviously reflecting the names of the streets close to where he was found. Many years later his death notice gave his parents as George (no surname) and Mary Warner. About 1904 he changed his surname to Powerlett when G. Powerlett is to be found playing cricket for his place of employment, Suttons Proprietary Limited, a musical instrument warehouse in Bourke Street. By 1908 he had switched to lacrosse. In 1910 George was involved in a newsworthy drama when cruising down the Yarra in a motor boat he happened upon a youth in the water and sinking fast. George dived in and after nine attempts found the boy on the bottom. He brought him to the surface and in handing him over to rescuers he slipped and sank again. George dived again, and once more found him, but it was too late and the youth died. George was highly commended for his bravery. At this time he was described as a musical instrument salesman.
George enlisted at Melbourne on 15 December 1917. He gave his occupation as manufacturer, his address as 19 Station Street, Camberwell and his next of kin, a friend, Miss Olive Adams of the same address. He was barely 5ft 4ins and had a sallow complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. He was appointed to the Recruit Depot, 1st Reinforcements on 2 February 1918 and sent to Broadmeadows for training. He embarked with the 1st General Service Reinforcements from Sydney on 21 March 1918 aboard HMAT Persic. He disembarked in London on 24 May 1918. He was allotted to the 22nd Battalion on 31 May and was sent to Fovant for further training. He proceeded to France on 18 August 1918 and was taken on strength on 3 September. He returned to UK on 31 May 1919. He was promoted to T (Temporary) 2/Corporal on 15 August 1919 and ER (Extra Regimental) 2/Corporal on 15 November 1919. He left for return to Australia on 5 January 1920 arriving 26 February. He was discharged on 17 April 1920.
He married Mary Ann Grandin in 1921. The marriage ended in divorce in 1928. George at this time was living at Richardson Street, Albert Park, and was working as a caterer. He then married Marjory Eva Bowden and had three children with her, the oldest of whom died aged 15 in 1944. He was then living at 62 King Edward Avenue, Sunshine. By 1936 he was working with Nettlefolds, screw manufacturers, who had opened a factory in Sunshine in 1925.
George died in Footscray in 1966.
Valerie Weber, email 4 Jul 2018