Friends and family have gathered for a memorial service for a community stalwart. George Beech died in the Royal Stoke University Hospital on August 28 at the age of 98.

The memorial service – held at West End Methodist Church, in Stoke, where George was a founding member – was filled with tributes to his extraordinary life. From serving in the Royal Navy during the Second World War to becoming a devoted advocate for children and families, George's journey was marked by kindness, compassion, and a deep commitment to his community.

After his wartime service in the Royal Navy's mine-sweeping unit, George discovered his natural ability to connect with people. It was his late wife, Irene, who suggested he take up a career working with children and families – a path that would define the rest of his life.

He was appointed as an education welfare officer, initially serving the Burslem area for 13 years, before moving to Blurton for another 15 years where he continued his work with families facing poverty.

George was awarded an MBE for services to the community in 2012 (LDRS).

In 2012, he was awarded an MBE for services to the community by the late Queen Elizabeth II. However his age did not stop George and in the last few weeks of his life he organised a fund-raising event.

For 18 years George, who lived in Hanford, worked as an independent custody visitor and served on the Staffordshire Police advisory group. He was also a school governor at Sneyd High School and Clayton High School as well the chair of governors at Churchfield Primary School, in Chesterton.

The Reverend Jeff Short led the service.

He told the congregation: "Years back I was at asked to speak at a school assembly on St George's Day and somebody said, as children do at the front, and looking at my considerable age, have you ever met St George. I said yes I have, they asked where does he live. I said, Hanford, they said, does he kill dragons? I said yes he does, these dragons have got names like hate, loneliness and all the bad things in life."

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