Linton was born on his mother’s birthday in a private hospital in Shepparton. Being the fourth son, a nurse at the hospital said to Linton’s mother, “You already have three sons, do you think my sister could adopt Linton?”. Linton’s mum said “No, we will keep him”.

Linton was named Linton Bird after Gregory Linton BIRD (1891-1974), known as Linton BIRD, one of his father’s many cousins. Linton remembers meeting Linton BIRD when he was a boy. Linton BIRD arrived at Claremont in a black car with his own driver. He gave Linton some coins which he thought was really cool at the time. On his death, Linton BIRD kindly left Linton some money in his will, because he was his name sake.

The name Linton, is believed to be a family name from Catherine LINTON, who married James FERGUSON, Linton’s great great grandfather. There is also a memory that Catherine LINTON was born in London near Hyde Park.