Sergeant Edward Brayley was the son of Alfred (a motor engineer) and Sarah Brayley, of Shrewsbury, Shropshire. He had an older brother, Clifford and a younger sister Margaret.
Charles Sidney Darwood joined the RAF as an Acting Pilot Officer on a Short Service Commission on 15 March 1935. On completion of his training, he joined No.111 Squadron at RAF Northolt, being noted on strength there in October 1936.