silvester was born the second son of a vicar in wembley, middlesex. he was educated at ardingly college, st. john's school, leatherhead and john lyon school, harrow, from all of which he absconded. in september 1916 he enlisted in the british army during the first world war and served as a private in the argyll and sutherland highlanders. he lied about his age to the recruiting authorities, stating this as 20 whereas he was only 16. he took part in the battle of arras in april/may 1917, and also was a member of five execution squads, where deserters, some no doubt suffering from shell-shock, were shot.