Background
She was the daughter of the musician and writer Malcolm Sterling Mackinlay and granddaughter of the vocalist Antoinette Sterling. Born Leila Antionette Sterling Mackinlay on 5 September 1910 in London, England, United Kingdom, she was the daughter of the musician and writer Malcolm Sterling Mackinlay, also known only as Sterling Mackinlay (1876–1952), and granddaughter of the popular vocalist Antoinette Sterling (1850–1904).