It is known that James Bray kept some livestock on his farm and it is probable that when Charles Muddle visited Edgwarebury, he used his skills as a butcher to assist his step-father ~ possibly with the help of his young nephew. At some point, Henry George decided that butchering might be a good profession ~ and it seems that Charles made it his task to find his nephew suitable employment.

On 21st October 1899, an advertisement appeared in the Bucks Herald for a young man to assist at William Smith & Sons, butchers, on Market Street in Aylesbury. It may be that Charles Muddle saw it ~ or that his friend Mr. Smith had already told him the job was available. So it happened that in November 1899, Henry George ~ or Harry as he was occasionally known, began work at Smiths.

Aylesbury was a very different place to Edgware. By 1899 it was the bustling county town of Buckinghamshire with a population of over nine thousand ~ Edgware had barely changed for generations, whilst Aylesbury had tripled in size over the past hundred years. We can only imagine what it was like for Harry to be somewhere so different to what he had been used to ~ and to be away from his family for the first time. He was at least fortunate that William Smith was by all accounts a well-respected businessman who, out of deference to his friendship with Charles Muddle, was likely to take greater care of his new employee than he would otherwise.

Harry was also fortunate in having his Uncle's home at Tring nearby, where he could spend what time off he had at the butchers. In the Bucks Herald of 25th November 1899, there is a report of a Venison Dinner for seventy-five guests held at the Plough Hotel. Not only is Harry listed as one of the guests who 'contributed to the harmony of the evening', so is William Smith. The following month, Harry is in the newspaper again, this time giving evidence at the trial of two men accused of stealing sausages from his employer.

It is not known how long Henry George stayed at William Smiths - it may have only been for a short time, as he was back home in Edgware for the carnivals held there in June and August of 1900. Neither can we be certain of his reasons for going to work there or why he left. If Charles Muddle had trained his nephew in the basics of butchering, it could be that the time he spent at William Smiths was just 'work experience'. By the time of the 1901 census, he was already using the skills learned from his Uncle Charles and his time at Aylesbury and lists his occupation as 'Butcher, working at home ,on own account'.

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In December, 1900, the Hendon & Finchley Times reported that Henry George Sr had won 1st prize for the best load of meadow hay at the Barnet Market Christmas Show. The photograph of Henry George and his proud father was taken in Barnet to mark the occasion. Between 1897 and 1900, Father and son also competed in local Point-to-Point races organized by the Collindale Hunt. Henry George was one of his Father's jockeys at each event - riding 'Stoneyfields' in 1898.