Percy was born in Newnham, Hertfordshire to William and Naomi (nee Ingrey) Brown. From the census records it appears that Percy was the 17th child (7th son) born to William and Naomi! He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylor School in Ashwell.
Alfred was the second son of Samuel and Ruth (nee Hayden), born at Thriplow, Cambridgeshire on 19 February 1884. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.