George Hicks moved to Grand Falls in 1906 and was headmaster of the first school. He joined the Royal Newfoundland Regiment at the beginning of the First World War and was wounded at the Battle of Beaumont Hamel on July 1, 1916. He reached the rank of captain and received the Military Cross and Bar for his distinguished service. When he recovered from his wounds, he returned to Newfoundland and recruited for the Regiment. His tunic, with the bullet hole, is on display at the Interpretation Centre in Beaumont Hamel.