Ges was born in Welwyn Garden City and attended Mid Herts College of Further Education, where he studied to become a lab technician and laboratory manager. After passing his examinations, he left the UK to travel the world, playing ragtime blues guitar in clubs and concerts in New Zealand, South Africa and Rhodesia.Returning to the UK two years later, Ges did a number of jobs, finally training as a croupier and working for 30-plus years in the casino industry in the UK, South Africa and later a number of Asian countries. Finally, he retired to live on a game reserve in Africa.