George Bissill was an artist who lived in Ashmansworth from 1935 until his death in 1973. He was born in Gloucestershire in 1896, moved with his family to Derbyshire and aged 13 went down the pits as a coal miner. In WWI, he was invalided out, being badly gassed. 

He became a much appreciated artist, engraver and furniture designer, with pictures depicting life in the pits as well as local landscapes.

He moved with his wife to Ashmansworth, living in Four Ashes Cottage and became friendly with his neighbour (from 1939), the composer Gerald Finzi.

His work has been the subject of a number of exhibitions and some local residents also commissioned pictures from him. A search of the Internet will give more detail. A book "George Bissill Life and Art" has been written by his niece Kate Pattinson. 

He died in Ashmansworth in 1935.