Charles was born atAshwell, Hertfordshire 2 October 1889, the fifth son of John and Emily (nee Huffer) Huffer. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylor School in Ashwell.
Frederick was the only son of Abraham and Elizabeth (nee Tapping) Walker, born in the 1st quarter 1889 at Caxton District, Cambridgeshire. At the age of 12 Frederick was living in Ashwell, Hertfordshire and was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.