George Harvey Barron was born on 31 March 1931 at Surry Hills, New South Wales, to James Adam Barron and Gertrude (née Harvey) Barron. He spent his early years in the Sydney suburbs of Annadale and Kogarah. By 1942, he and his family had moved to Melbourne, Victoria. Barron became a storekeeper.

Barron enlisted with the Royal Australian Navy in August 1950 at Melbourne. In 1952, he completed Initial Flight Training School with the Royal Australian Air Force at Station Archerfield in Queensland, followed by Advanced Flight Training School at Point Cook in Victoria. He embarked from Melbourne on 17 February 1953, and was posted to a number of units in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy, United Kingdom, to complete his training. These units included 781 Naval Air Squadron, 764 Naval Air Squadron, and 738 Naval Air Squadron. He also served in HMS Illustrious.

On 4 November 1953, Barron graduated from the Naval Air Fighter School. He was then posted to 811 Naval Air Squadron, and embarked on HMS Warrior in February 1954 for service in Malta, Malaysia and Korea. He served as a pilot until August 1954, but was declared unfit to fly due to medical reasons in November of that year. He subsequently took up general duties and was assigned to air traffic control for a period. Barron’s appointment with the Royal Australian Navy was terminated on 7 January 1957.

Barron married Carolyn Georgina Cucksey at Sutherland, New South Wales on 12 December 1956. They lived and raised their family at Denistone in New South Wales. Barron became a store manager after concluding his service the Navy. He and Carolyn later moved to Point Clare in New South Wales.

George Harvey Barron died on 28 December 1991, at the age of 60. He is buried at Palmdale Lawn Cemetery and Memorial Park, New South Wales.