John was born in Ashwell, Hertfordshire on 16 June 1882, the eldest son of John Worboys Burton and Margaret Jane (nee Humphreys) Burton. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.
George was born in Steeple Morden Cambridgeshire, the son of William and Elizabeth (nee Harradine) Harradine.
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
Benjamin was the only son of Frederick Edward and Eliza Ann (nee Wilkins) Strickland, born at Ashwell, Hertfordshire in the 2nd quarter 1882. Benjamin was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.
John was born in 3rd quarter 1882 at Ashwell, Hertfordshire, the sixth son of Sidney and Jane (nee Worboys) Whitby. He was born at Slip Inn, Ashwell, Hertfordshire but moved to Middlesex in his early teens so it is possible he was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.