He was determined that his sons would have a good education and not need to become miners so John's father Frank E T Kingman was able to study at the University of Bristol, where he was awarded his Ph.D. He moved to London on taking up a scientific post with the government and there married John's mother Maud Elsie Harley who came from a London family.
Siya ay natukoy na ang kanyang mga anak ay magkaroon ng isang mahusay na edukasyon at mga hindi kailangan na maging miners kaya John's ama Frank ET Kingman ay able sa pag-aaral sa University of Bristol, kung saan siya ay iginawad sa kanyang Ph.D. Siya ay inilipat sa London sa pagkuha up ng isang pang-agham-post sa pamahalaan at may asawa John's ina rug Elsie Harley na nagmula sa isang pamilya sa London.