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
George was born at St Ives, Huntigdonshire, on 7 April 1889 the son of George and Shirley (nee Pammenter) Longland. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell, but left school at age 13 and became a carter and labourer on a farm.
Harry was born in West Wickham, Cambridgeshire on 6 February 1893, the second son of Simon and Alice (nee Mynott) Loveday of Cold Harbour, near Ashwell, Hertfordshire.