Claude was the eldest son of Albert John and Nellie Augusta (nee Radford) Hoye, born in Ashwell, Hertfordshire on 16 July 1898. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.
Eric was the fourth son of Thomas Silver Hyder and Clarissa (nee Bonfield) Hyder, born Hill on 28 May 1898 at Flint House, Lime Kiln Hill, Ashwell, Hertfordshire. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.