Frank Cecil Bootiman was the son of John Smith Bootiman, a South Shields physician and surgeon, and his wife Jane.

Frank originally attended the Grammar School in South Shields, which was a small private school in Westoe Road, with no connection to the High School or the later Grammar-Technical School.

Frank joined the High School in 1902, at the age of 9, but left in 1904 to board at Pocklington School. He then transferred as a day pupil at the Royal Grammar School in Newcastle, as well as having private tutors.

In January, 1909, he came back to the High School, where he stayed until November that year when he became articled to the Manager of Harton Coal Company, and later started studying to become a mining engineer.

In 1911, he enlisted with the 4th Northumbrian Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery, and later joined the 19th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry, rising to the rank of Captain.

He was a member of the Institute of Mining Engineers, and died in December, 1954, in Whitburn.