George Wells lived with his mother in Thompson Street, Ballarat. He was born in Ballarat East. He enlisted in the 8th Infantry Battalion on 17th August 1914. He was 23 years old, single and employed as a hairdresser. By mid July the 8th Battalion had been on duty in the perimeter trenches for 10 weeks, and the strain was beginning to tell. Anzac Corps HQ scheduled 8th Battalion for a break on the Greek island of Imbros, about 15 miles [24 km] across the bay from Gallipoli.
He stayed with the 8th Battalion on Gallipoli until the successful withdrawal of all troops to Egypt in December 1915. On the 6th January 1916 he was admitted to hospital suffering from orchitis –inflammation of the testicles- This was later changed to traumatic orchitis- a painful condition requiring rest, and specialised treatment. Tree No. 34 in the Ballarat Avenue of Honour, and elm, was planted by Miss R. Stanley, a 'Lucas Girl ',on 4th June 1917.
A tree was planted in the Buninyong Shire Avenue of Honour for Private George Wells.