Archibald Drinnan Mahan was born on 9th August 1898 in Durham City, England and died on 9th November 1943 in Redcar, Yorkshire, England.

His middle name was his mother's maiden name and his Christian name was the same as that of her father.

He married Elsie Johnson on 24 Dec 1922 and they were the parents of Keith Drinnan Mahan.