[1] He was the son of Dr William Thillayampalam Paul, a physician and leading resident from Manipay in northern province of Ceylon.

He had three brothers (Albert, Victor and Charles) and nine sisters (Thangamma, Annamma, Chellamma, Rasammah, Ratnamma, Pakiam, Muttamma, Nallamma and Nesammah).

[2] Paul married Dora Elenor, daughter of Dr Simon de Melho Aserappa, on 8 May 1899.

[3] They had seven sons (Milroy, William, Egerton, Albert, Jeyarajan, Arthur and Ellalasingam) and three daughters (Girlie Cooke, Amy Crosette-Thambiah and Tutse Rasaratnam).

[1] Paul's reputation grew and he was appointed senior surgeon at the General Hospital, Colombo, a position he held until his retirement.