Born on 30 May 1871 at Hampstead, where his father was in practice at 1 Abercrombie Villas, Rosslyn Hill. He was the thirteenth child of William Henry Cook, MD, MRCS, medical officer for Hampstead parish, and his wife, Harriet Bickersteth. He was educated at St Paul's School and University College H

Born 12 January 1872 at Bitterne, Southampton, the seventh child and fourth son of James Dick Steward, a commander in the service of the Peninsular and Oriental Steamship Company, and Mary L Harris, his wife. He was educated at Bedford until he entered the medical school at Guy's Hospital in October