Ian Willoughby Bazalgette was born to Charles Ian and Marion Edith Bazalgette in Calgary on October 19, 1918. Will, as he was called in childhood to distinguish himself from his father, was three when the family moved to Toronto – they would stay there for only a few years before moving to Britain.

By all accounts, Will was a pleasant child, and would often entertain those around him with his conversations. Will also suffered from health problems as a child, and at age 13 underwent four months of treatment for clinical tuberculosis.