George Vernon Davies was born in Armadale, Melbourne on 23 May 1888. He was educated at Malvern Grammar School and Melbourne University graduating MB He enlisted in the AIF and was regimental medical officer in the 38th Battalion, 1917 to 1918, being awarded the DSO in 1918. On demobilisation he was appointed an RMO at the Alfred Hospital and subsequently first registrar at that hospital in 1920.

He was superintendent of the Paton Memorial Hospital in Vila, New Hebrides from 1920 to 1923. On returning to Victoria in 1924, he commenced general practice in Wangaratta where he was appointed honorary physician to the Wangaratta District Base Hospital until 1948 and subsequently consultant physician from 1948 to 1955. He served as hospital treasurer from 1952 to 1953. During 1939-45 he formed a loose partnership with a surgeon, David Browne, alternating with him in army service in Victoria.

Returning to Melbourne in 1955 he became a psychiatrist at Mont Park Hospital from 1955 to 1967, obtaining the MANZCP in 1964. He wrote a thesis for his PhD, entitled 'Family relationships of elderly mental patients' and was awarded this in 1967. He wrote several articles for the Medical Journal of Australia. He was a member of the BMA and served on the BMA Victorian council from 1941 to 1947.

Vernon married Ruth Fraser, the daughter of Ron Fraser, a Presbyterian minister, in 1923. One of his two children was Professor AF Davies, professor of political science at Melbourne University. Professor Davies died in 1988. Vernon had many interests apart form his medical practice, being an elder of the Presbyterian Church and president of Wangaratta Technical School from 1943 to 1955. He unsuccessfully contested the federal seat of Indi in 1934. He was regarded by the community as a fine Christian gentleman, a devoted husband and father and a skilful and caring doctor. He died at Ivanhoe on 18 Oct 1983.