Ian Jeffry Rankine was born on 23 October 1921 at Woodville to Jeffry and Florence Rankine (nee Burgoyne). He had two older sisters, Dorothy and Marion. His father Rev Jeffry Walker Rankine was a Presbyterian minister.

Ian obtained a Diploma of Pharmacy from Adelaide University and was working as a pharmacist when he was called up and enlisted in the army in 1942. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. His did not serve overseas but spent most of his time in Queensland. In 1944 he married Noela Jenkins who was at that time working as a VAD nurse in Queensland. They returned to Adelaide after the end of the war.

Ian and Noela had three children, a son Peter born (1946) , daughter Jillian (1948) and a second son, John born in 1955.  

Noela died on 18 September 1995 aged 72.  

Ian died on 12 August 2002 aged 80. His death notice records his nickname as “Pills”.