Beatrice Forbes was the daughter of Robert Grey, Treasurer of the Foundling Hospital between 1892 and 1914. In 1903 she married Major Patrick William Forbes (1861–1923) in the Foundling Hospital Chapel. Her husband had served in the British Army in Rhodesia where he had been one of the pallbearers at Cecil Rhodes’ funeral in 1902. ‘Pat’ Forbes became a Governor of the Foundling Hospital in 1904. Beatrice was also elected a Governor in 1934 and was a rare example of a woman involved in managing the affairs of the Hospital.

William Carter was best known for painting portraits, animals and still life. He was the son of the artist Samuel John Carter and brother of the Egyptologist Howard Carter. He lived mostly at Swaffham in Norfolk, but also in London where he exhibited at the Royal Academy and the Royal Society of British Artists.