 The eldest son of Josiah (postmaster, church warden, registrar, bootmaker and cordwainer) and Selina Hands of Kings Norton, Worcestershire, Harry Hands was educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham.He married Aletta Catharina Myburgh (later OBE) in Worcestershire on 6 October 1886.Aletta was the daughter of Philip Albert Myburgh, a member of the Cape Legislative Assembly and a prominent member of society.