Georges Durand was born in 1928 in the Isère department.
On September 1, 1944, aged barely sixteen, he joined the Grésivaudan battalion, which became the first March battalion of Isère, integrated into the 15th BCA.
Within this unit, he participated in the Liberation battles, till the German troops finally surrendered in 1945.
At the end of the Second World War, he volunteered to go and serve in Indochina, where, within the expeditionary corps, he once more proved to be a courageous serviceman. He subsequently left for the Algerian war, before being repatriated and sent to France.
Upon returning to civil life, Georges devotedly dedicated himself to associative activities in the Isère department, notably within ex-service personnel associations. He was a member of the board of directors of the Indochina ex-service personnel of Saint Marcellin, and in 2003, he was elected chairman of the Isère departmental section of Volunteer Servicemen.
He held this major position with so much efficiency till he passed away in July 2009. His funeral took place at the Saint Marcellin church.
During his military career, Georges Durand was wounded twice and received 6 commendations. Officer of the Legion of Honour and holder of the military medal, this outstanding volunteer serviceman equally held the Second World War cross, the Overseas Operations cross, the military valour cross, and a series of other awards.