he was born on 6 april 1902 in denny, stirlingshire in central scotland, the son of rev peter c durward ma (1861–1924) and his wife elizabeth (b.1865). the family emigrated to new zealand in 1906 originally to leeston and then moving to lawrence in october 1911. it is noted that his father deputised for the moderator (charles) at the general assembly of the presbyterian church of new zealand in 1916.