Bernard was the eldest son of Arthur and Eva Eliza Ann (nee Smith) Covington, born on 23 July 1883 at Ashwell, Hertfordshire. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.
Arthur was born in Ashwell in 1883 to Samuel and Eliza (nee Brown) Gillett. Arthur’s grandmother had been a shopkeeper in West End, Ashwell.
Lewis was born on 2 December 1883 in Ashwell, Hertfordshire, the second son of John and Emily (nee Huffer) Huffer. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylor School in Ashwell.
Benjamin, known as Wilf, was born at Ashwell, Hertfordshire on 18 April 1883, the eldest son of Alfred William and Eliza Betsy (nee Barton) Skerman. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.
Oben was born in January 1883 at Ashwell, Hertfordshire, the third son of Charles and Annie (nee Stamford) Strickland. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.
Edward was born at Ashwell, Hertfordshire in the 2nd quarter 1883, the sixth son of Thomas and Sarah (nee Bull) White. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.
Thomas was born at Ashwell, Hertfordshire 1 March 1883, the third son of George and Martha (nee Lee) Worboys. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.