Basil Tracey was born on 19 October 1899 at Willand, Devon, where his father, Henry Eugene Tracey, was a general practitioner, four of whose eleven children were qualified medical practitioners. His mother was Emily Alice, née Martin. He was educated at Monkton Combe School and St Bartholomew's Hosp

Sholto Forman was born at Beattock, Dumfriesshire, on 25 July 1915, the son of Reverend Adam Forman CBE, Chaplain to Loretto School 1907 to 1912, and Flora, née Smith. He was brought up at the family home at Craigielands, Dumfriesshire, with three brothers, all of whom were educated at Loretto befor