Tom was born on 11 May 1879, the eldest son of Mr Thomas Silver Hyder and Mrs Cressida (nee Bonfield) Hyder of Kingsland Hill (Lime Kiln Hill), Ashwell. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.
Bruce was born on 28 March 1897, the third son of James and Elizabeth Ann (nee Harradine) Law of Mill Street, Ashwell. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell