George Lake's family were well-connected at court, and in 1790 he was appointed one of the Prince of Wales' Pages of Honour.

As a Major in the 94th Regiment of Foot he was seriously wounded at the Battle of Laswaree, whilst ensuring his father remounted after General Lake had his horse shot from under him.

[3] In early 1808 Lieutenant Colonel Lake embarked with his regiment and travelling via Gibraltar, landed in the Iberian Peninsula in June 1808.

[5] According to various accounts Lake was leading his Grenadier Company into a mountain pass when they were fired on by French infantry from well-prepared positions and he was killed; although his unit succeeded in overcoming the enemy defences.

[6][7] He was buried by his men after the battle (as was the habit of the time) close to the spot where he died (the grave site is marked with a cross); there is also a memorial plaque in Westminster Abbey commemorating his death.