Walter was born at Guilden Morden Cambridgeshire in the second quarter 1882, the eldest son of Walter and Annie (nee Cole) Picking of Ashwell, Hertfordshire. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell
Frank was born in Ashwell, Hertfordshire on 11 October 1898, the fourth son of David and Clara (nee Kirbyshire) Potton of 42 Station Rd, Ashwell, Hertfordshire. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell