Sidney was born in Long Buckby, Northamptonshire the only son of John and Hannah (nee Page) in 1879.
Albert was the son of James and Eliza (nee Pack, first wife) Burgess, born in Clawson, Leicestershire in about 1879 and christened in Ashwell, Hertfordshire on 4 October 1885. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylor School in Ashwell.
Oscar was the only son of James Burgess and Clara (nee Green, second wife), born on 2 January 1898 at Ashwell, Hertfordshire. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.