William Buckley Brown, pictured here with his wife Maggie (née Beverley), was born in Kinnethmont, Aberdeenshire in 1886 to George Buckley and Isabella Brown.

Athough born and raised in Scotland, William's paternal background was Irish and English. George Buckley, his father, was born in Covent Garden, London in 1861 to musical instrument maker John Buckley (of probable Irish descent) and Elizabeth Butler (daughter of Dublin-born musical instrument maker George Butler).

George Buckley's mother died when he was about three years old and it appears his father may have died not long afterwards, resulting in George's adoption by a Charlotte Brett of Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

George's son, William (pictured), who was known throughout his life as 'Buckley Broon', married Maggie in 1909 and they had 11 children.