George Chambers 'Dixie' Dean was born the 29th June 1915, at Washington Station, the eldest son of seven children to an Arthur Dean, born 1st May 1891, died 16th February 1966, and his wife Jane Ann nee Watson, Dean born 2nd April 1892, died 18th May 1977, they were married on the 4th June 1911, at the Holy Trinity Church at Washington. The other children were Hannah, born 23rd March 1912, at Usworth Colliery, Annie (Nancy), born 9th January 1916, John Dean, born 22nd July 1921, died 1996, Elizabeth (Betty) Dean, born 4th October 1923, died 1979, Arthur Dean, born 11th August 1928, and Roland Dean born October 1930.

George was residing at Grasmere Gardens and was employed at Doxford's ship builders as a welder. He joined the Territorials 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry on the 2nd April 1931 for 8 years, finishing his time in September 1939, but with two weeks to go with the outbreak of the Second World War, George was posted into the 11th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, on the 14th September.

On the 2nd September 1939, the 6th, 8th and the 9th Battalions, all of which were over strength, were each divided into two battalions, the second lines becoming the 10th 11th and 12th Battalions and comprising together 70th Infantry Brigade. The 11th Battalion were located in the Nuncq area, and on ther 17th May it received orders to move. The Germans after their initial break-through, were fast approaching Arras in their drive for the channel coast. 70th Brigade were ordered to hold a positionalong the line of the Canal du Nord, approximately six miles from Cambrai.

George was a dispatch rider in France. In May 1940 near Meteren, whilst serving with the 11th Battalion Durham Light Infantry as part of the 23rd Northern Division, British Expeditionary Force, he was awarded the Military Medal for his "determination and personal disregard for danger", on the 27th May 1940.

Early on the morning of the 26th May orders were received to move at once. The route was north throughBeaucamps to Meteren over the Belgian border. By this time the decision had been reached that the British and French forces must march to the sea if they were to be saved from complete destruction. It was clear to Higher Command that control by the French Supreme Command had broken down. The battalion made its way among crowded roads and under constant threat of air raids. In one air raid of which they were attacked by six bombers towards Meteren. As they neared Meteren, the Battalion was diverted, since a heavy attack from the Hazebrouck area was apparently in progress and it was not intended that they should not become involved. At one stage it looked as if they would be, but the column got through and, partly marching and partly ferrying the marching columns in such transport as they could muster, they reached Stavele, some ten miles south of Furnes, on the 28th May.Source: The D.L.I. at War David Rissik.

George later served with the 11th Durham Light Infantry in Iceland. In june 1942, George married an Ellen Phare, born 1914. They had one son Sidney.

Then on the 27th November 1942, he was transferred to the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers. From the 20th January 1943 he is with the 17th Company. Then posted to the 70th Brigade Workshops. 101 Company REME from the 7th April 1943. 6th November 1943, he is now posted to Northern Command Static Workshops. Posted Movement Control HQ on the 27th December 1943. Posted Western Command HQ Workshops 17th April 1944. Posted to the 14th Royal Artillery Practice Camp Light Anti-Aircraft 23rd May 1944. Posted Northern Command Static Workshop 13th June 1944.. Posted Mobilisation and Holding Centre 1st June 1945. Embarked for Middle East 8th June 1945. Disembarked Middle East Forces 20th June 1945. Returned to UK 20/11/1945. Disembarked UK, Y List E 27th November 1945 and the. Class Z Army Reserve 14th January 1946.

The Durham Chronicle 06/09/1940 reports:

Washington hero decorated.

The first military decoration to come to Washington has been awarded to Pte. George Chambers Dean (25) of the 11th D.L.I., son and Mr. and Mrs. A. Dean, of Grasmere Gardens, Washington Station. Pte Dean, who is a dispatch rider, has been awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery at Dunkirk. Previous to joining the Army nine years ago, he was an electric welder at Doxford's Shipyard, Sunderland, and when war broke out he had only a fortnight to serve before being discharged. At present he is in hospital at Tavistock, Devon, suffering from an injury to his leg caused by playing football since his return to England. Pte. Dean's brother, John, who joined the Navy as a boy, is now a submarine detector operator. He won a silver medal at the age of 16½ for rifle firing.

George Chambers 'Dixie' Dean M.M., died in January 1991.