Fairbairn was born at Melbourne Australia, the son of Thomas Fairbairn, a pastoralist and his wife Lena Carmyle. He was also the nephew of rower Steve Fairbairn. He was educated at Eton College and Jesus College, Cambridge and rowed for Cambridge in the Boat Race in 1908.
In the context of Fairbairn's life, being born in Melbourne, Australia, to a family of pastoralists was significant. He also had a familial connection to rowing through his uncle Steve Fairbairn and attended prestigious educational institutions where he participated in a notable rowing event.