James Francis George Menzies was born Jean Mennesson in Abbeville, France on the 27th of April 1916 where his parents, Paul and Marie Louise Mennesson were staying after leaving their farm during the First World War. His family came back to the farm in Foucaucourt after War and rebuilt it as it was damaged where Jean spent his early years. Jean was educated in the Saint Croix de Neuilly school in Paris, he was also a boy scout.