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

John William Thomson Walker was born at Newport, Fife on 6 August 1871, the second child and second son of John H Walker, chairman of the Caldrow jute works, Dundee, and Isabella Thomson, his wife. He was educated at the Dundee High School and at the Edinburgh Institution. He then matriculated at th