Eric Ian Alan Macdonald was born in Melbourne on 30 October 1901 but soon moved to New Zealand, where he was educated at Remuera District School,Auckland Grammar School and Auckland University where he graduated MB, ChB in 1924. From 1926 to 1930 he obtained specialist training in a number of London

Victor John Kinsella was born in Sydney, New South Wales, on 30 July 1900, the son of John J. Kinsella, a public accountant, and his wife Elizabeth, née Reynolds. He was educated at the Marist Brothers' School, North Sydney, and at the age of thirteen won a bursary to St Joseph's College, Hunter's H