Sidney was born at Forest Gate, Essex, the eldest son of Albert and Emily (nee Johnson) of Ashwell, born on 10 May 1893. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.
Harry was the second son of Arthur and Eva Eliza Ann (nee Smith) Covington born in January 1890 at Ashwell, Hertfordshire. He was a pupil of the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.
Thomas was born on 19th October 1892 at Caldecote, fifth son of James and Emily (nee Hull) at Caldecote, Hertfordshire. He was a pupil of the Merchant Taylors School.
Percy was born on 18 March 1893 at Norton, Hertfordshire, the eldest son of S. Albert and Martha (nee Kitchener) James. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell where they were living when Percy was about 10 years old.
Wilfred was born at Barley, Hertfordshire on 4 May 1894. It is not known who his parents were. The 1901 census shows him living in Ashwell Hertfordshire with Annie Tyrrell and her daughter Jessie. Wilfred was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.
Harry was the third son of Charles Simon and Mary Jane (nee Winter) Wilkins, born at Ashwell, Hertfordshire on 16 June 1893. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.