Prior to the Second World War, while Beamish was in the RAF, he was a keen rugby union player, playing for Leicester and being capped 26 times for Ireland and was selected for the 1930 British Lions tour.

[4] To aid him in this task he was allocated two RAF squadrons from Egypt, 30 and 205 to bolster the fighters already stationed on the island.

Unable to convince the Army Commander of the need to defeat the invaders from the air, the island fell and Beamish ordered the RAF squadrons to withdraw to Egypt on 19 May.

[4] Beamish remained on Crete to assist General Freyberg, both men escaping the island aboard a Sunderland in late May.

[7] Beamish won his first international cap in 1925, at the age of 19, representing Ireland in that year's Home Nations Championship in a six all draw with England.

[8] Beamish was then selected for the remaining games of the tournament, a home loss to Scotland and an impressive 19–3 win over Wales.

[11] George Beamish is also credited with getting the green of Ireland represented in the kit currently worn by the British & Irish Lions.

After much reluctance and debate, but having to defer to the rugby custom of accommodating guests, New Zealand agreed to change for the Tests and the All Blacks became the All Whites for the first time.

Also on that tour, a delegation led by George Beamish expressed their displeasure at the fact that whilst the blue of Scotland, white of England and red of Wales were represented in the strip there was no green for Ireland.