Francis Victor Beamish was born in Dunmanway, County Cork, Ireland, on 27th September, 1903, - three of his brothers served in the RAF and also attained high-ranking positions.
On 16th February 1943, an afternoon fighter sweep turned into a disaster for Kenley's Canadian wing.
George Rawson Brown was the son of Walter George Brown, a merchant, and Marjorie Brown (nee. Holland) of Bartonville, Ontario. Both of his parents were born in England but had taken Canadian citizenship. He had one sister, also called Marjorie.