Peter and Paul Gatien's father, Joseph Paul Emile Gatien, was a Canadian soldier stationed in England. He was with the 5724 Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps.

The mother of the twins was Phyllis Jessett, a munitions worker. Joseph Gatien and Phyllis Jessett lived together 5 years until 1946. Joseph Paul Emile Gatien went back to Canada.

The twins were put into an orphanage.

In 1952, Master P. Oliveria, 10, arrived in Sydney, Australia, in a group of children from St. Josephs Home, Enfield, Middlesex, England.