Born at Dalry, Ayrshire on 25 March 1872, the fifth son and ninth youngest child of Andrew Blair Aitken and his wife Jane Young. He was educated at the Ayrshire Academy, Ayr, and at Glasgow University where he graduated in 1893. After holding resident appointments at Oldham Infirmary and the Wirral

Born at Llechwyd Farm, Towyn on 27 September 1874, the second child of John Rowlands, farmer, and Elizabeth Pugh, his wife. His parents died when he was five years old and his upbringing was supervised by trustees and his elder brother, Richard Pugh Rowlands. He was educated at Dolgelly Grammar Scho