litchfield was born in british india, on 27 may 1832, the eldest son of charles william litchfield (c.1802–1850), who was then serving in the 17th foot of the british army as a non-commissioned officer. his grandfather was a london surgeon and his lineage is reputedly connected to the earl of lichfield title in england. his mother was margaret, "nee" o'connor (1808–1834), but after she died young his father remarried in india in 1835 to ellen munro (1818–1908), daughter of donald and isabella munro. donald munro (1785–1822), a scot, also served in the 17th foot.