Harold Mark 'Hank' Batters, was born 2nd September, 1918, at Portage-la-Prairie, Manitoba, Canada.
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.
James was the son of Patrick and Annie Burke (nee Maher) of Temuka, Canterbury, New Zealand.