George Frederick Turner was born in Brighton, Sussex, England in early 1870, later being baptised on 3 July that same year in St Peter's Church.

He was the eldest of two children born to George Henry Turner (b. 1847), a carpenter and joiner, and Maria Jane Knight (b. 1844), both of whom hailed from Hampshire and who had married in Brighton in 1868. His only sibling was his sister Ada Jane (b. 1872).

First appearing on the 1871 census, George and his family were listed as living at West Hill Street in Brighton, later moving to Portsmouth Road and appearing there on the 1881 census. The family later moved to Hampshire and are listed on the 1891 census living at Netley Cottages  in Hound, Old Netley and George was described as a clerk.

George was married in St Mary's Church, Acton, Middlesex on 16 June 1896 to Jane "Jeanie" Ellidge Elkin (b. 1872 in Southampton, daughter of William and Jane Ann Elkin). At the time his profession was given as stockbroker's clerk and his address was given as New Place Villa in Acton.

George and his wife would have no children. They appear together on the 1901 census living at 10 Mansfield Road, Wanstead, Essex and George is still described as a stockbroker's clerk. He and his wife were listed at separate addresses on the 1911 census, for reasons unknown: Jane at her mother's house, "Aubre," on Bond Road, Bitterne, Southampton and George at 51 Bushwood Road, Kew Gardens, London. At the time George was listed as a shorthand clerk in the Church Army.

When he signed-on to the Titanic, on 9 April 1912, George gave his address as 16 Hedley Gardens, Chiswick. As a Stenographer he received monthly wages of £4, 10s. The Titanic was his first ship.

George Turner died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified. The following death notice appeared in the Hampshire Advertiser:

TURNER--On the 15th inst., on s.s. Titanic, on his maiden voyage, George Frederick Turner, Aubrey, Bitterne Park, Southampton.

His widow Jeanie never remarried and settled in Southampton, later living at 97 Hill Lane in that city. She died on 26 January 1957.

George is remembered on his family headstone in St Leonards churchyard, Bursledon, Southampton.