George Richardson was born about 1888 at Travellers Rest. He was the son of Joseph Richardson, born 1852 at Preston Le Skerne and Annie May, who was born at Cornforth.

In 1891 George was 3 and was living with his parents at Railway Cottages, Sherburn. He had a sister, Mary A., age 1, born at Aycliffe. His father was a Railway Labourer.

In 1901 the family were still at Railway Cottages, though there were now two more sons, Joseph, age 9 and William, age 2, and Joseph's mother Alice, age 82. She was born in Scotland.

In the 1911 census the family were living at Brafferton. George was single and working as a cartwright on his own account.

In the Absent Voters' List of October 1918 Joseph Richardson's address is given as East Row, Aycliffe. Joseph was Private 260701, 500 Labour Corps.