William was born at the Black Eagle pub in Baldock on 12 February 1898, the eldest son of Henry and Ellen Craft (nee Allison, previously Spicer) Anderson. He attended the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.
Charles William was the second son of Herbert and Annie Maria (nee Reynolds) born on 9 April 1890 at Ashwell, Hertfordshire, christened on 1 June 1890, He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.
Harold was the second son of John and Caroline (nee Waldock) Picking born on 10 July 1888 at Ashwell, Hertfordshire. Harold’s parents both died before he was ten and he went to live with relatives in the village. He was a pupil of the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.