John Calladine Cockayne was the son of John Cockayne, an engineer of Hyson Green,Nottinghamshire. On 26 April 1866, he became apprenticed for a period of four years to SmithBrothers, a company of brass founders and carpenters in Nottingham.
Robert Salisbury was the son of James Moffat Salisbury of Hind's Yard, Angel Row, Nottingham. On2 July 1874, he became apprenticed for a period of seven years to William and Albert SeptimusBradshaw, printers in Nottingham and proprietors of 'The Nottingham Journal' newspaper.
Henry Mecklenburgh was the step-son of Joseph Golland of Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. On 14 June1889, he became apprenticed for a period of five years and seven months to Marshall Sons and CompanyLimited, engineers of Gainsborough, Lincolnshire