Thank you for your response.
The detail you've provided is much appreciated, also the new threads pointed out for us to follow.
With no convict connections found, our thinking was George arrived in VDL, as crew on a ship, or with the Army, and we couldn't find any reference to his father. Your material provides another (and most likely) possibility.
I'm still to read the (12?) articles from the Launceston Examiner (all the others have been reviewed), with the hope we may find something definite about George's arrival, though you caution our optimism.
My history of VDL isn't what it should be, the development of the north is, for me, pretty much a blank sheet.
On the matter of George's PoB, the 1858 birth registration for his last child records the same as on George's death registration: Chatham England.
Again, thanks so much for your advice.
Regards Bob