Photograph of Rodney (Gray) and Fred Titcombe

Rodney was the eldest son of Daisy Titcombe and he took his mother's maiden name of Gray . He was accepted by her husband, Ernest Titcombe, and raised as a member of the Titcombe family. Rodney is seen standing next to his younger half brother Frederick.

At school Rodney was known as Ginger on account of the colour of his hair. Former pupils remember he had a wonderful singing voice.