[2][3] Abbott was a survivor of Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic Terra Nova expedition, and was one of six arctic explorers that were part of its Northern Party.

[4][5] At the age of 18 he was one of the young naval ratings to be selected to pull the gun-carriage bearing Queen Victoria's coffin during her funeral procession.

[6] George was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal for his gallantry during the procession where he had recaptured and calmed a horse carrying a senior army officer that got excited and broke away from the parade.

In 1910 he was recruited to join Captain Robert Scott's Terra Nova Expedition to Antarctica, at the time he was Petty Officer but he signed on as an able seaman (AB) at £6/month.

He was a well-built man, champion wrestler, and a qualified physical instructor in 1st class.