John was born in the Chester District, Cheshire on 1 October 1880, seventh child of Samuel and Penelope Jones (nee Burns) Davies. Before enlisting John was a brewer’s labourer in Ashwell, Hertfordshire.
Thomas was born at Ashwell, Hertfordshire in 1880, the second son of James and Emily (nee Hills) Lee. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.
Ambrose was the fourth son of Jonathan and Ann (nee Brim) Sanderson born at Eyeworth, Bedfordshire on 31 July 1880.