Major-General George Hearn was born at Carisbrooke on the Isle of Wight in July 1827. Nominated for a Cadetship in the Madras Infantry in early 1844, he was ultimately appointed an Ensign in the 49th M.N.I. in March of the following year. By the advent of the Pegu operations of 1852-53, he had risen to the rank of Lieutenant and been appointed Adjutant, in which capacity he was wounded by a musket ball at the storming of the enemy's stockade at Beeling on 19.4.1853. Next appointed to the command of the Hurnoul Horse, Hearn was advanced to Captain in September 1857 and became a Superintendent in the Mofinsoil Police in July 1858. Employed in these latter duties until late 1867, he was advanced to Major and District Superintendent. Returning to more regular military duties as a Wing Officer in the 15th Native Infantry at the end of the decade, he became Second-in-Command in February 1873 with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Hearn returned home shortly afterwards and was advanced to Major-General in Feburary 1886.