George Elliott was born in Fulham on 22 March 1894, the son of William George and Caroline Mary Elliott (née Sillcock). After leaving school he was a CONWAY Cadet from September 1907 to December 1910 and then served an apprenticeship from 19 January 1911 to 31 March 1914 in the barque rigged TORRISDALE and in the barque GRANADA. He was appointed as a Midshipman, RNR, on 18 January 1913 and joined the battleship HMS BULWARK on 4 July 1914. On 7 August 1914, he was appointed to the Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS ALSATIAN. He was promoted Acting Sub Lieutenant on 14 February 1916, to Sub Lieutenant on 3 May 1916 and to Acting Lieutenant on 11 August 1916.

George Elliott was appointed to HMS E50 as Navigating Officer on 29 December 1917. E50 was lost with all hands in the North Sea on 1 February 1918. It is believed that the submarine hit a mine.