Thomas Leybourned entered the High School from St John's Elementary School, in South Shields, in 1903 at the age of 8.

He was the son of Thomas William Leybourne, an accountant with Harton Coal Company, and his Scottish-born wife, Christina Campbell Leybourne.

In July, 1911, Thomas took the Chartered Accountant's preliminary examination, and then left to be articled to Vasey and Robertson, Chartered Accountants.

The only information found so far relating to his military career is that he served in the Cyclist's Corps, and is believed to have survived the war.