George was born in 1881 in Shipley, the eldest son of grocer John and Lucy Ann Charlesworth. In the 1901 census he is living with his parents and siblings and described as working in the family business but by 1911 he had married Lily and they and their two children – John and Kathleen – were at 26 Leyburn Grove, Shipley. George was described as a professional musician but in his obituary it was said he worked at Salts Mills. On 14 May 1915 the Shipley Times & Express published an extract of a letter from then Lance Sergeant Charlesworth, RAMC, to his mother: “I see by the Shipley Times & Express there has been a recruiting meeting at Saltaire Mills. Well, I hope it has not been in vain. “I think if the young fellows who are able to serve knew how things stand here and what a critical position we are in they would come forward and help us. The next mention in the newspaper comes on 4 April 1916: The success of Mr George Charlesworth in obtaining a commission as Second Lieutenant in the 6th West Yorkshire Regt, will be welcomed by his many friends in Shipley and district. He is cousin of Mr Charlesworth George, the well-known vocalist, and his mother resides at Nab Wood. Sec-Lieut Charlesworth was formerly a member of the Shipley RAMC. On the 22 March 1918, the newspaper noted: Sec-Lieut George Charlesworth, Yorkshire Regt, reported missing on 3 May 1917, is now presumed to have been killed. The son of Mrs Charlesworth of Upper Nab House, Shipley, before the war he was in the employment of Sir Titus Salt Sons & Co Ltd.