John was the eldest son of John, a plate layer, and Mary Forster. He was born in Moore, in 1888 and baptised at All Saints’, Daresbury on 29 April 1888. The family lived in Spruce’s Cottages.
He was an errand boy at the beginning of his working life, but became the head gardener on an estate in Workington, Cumberland.
John joined the Cheshire Regiment in March 1916. His three brothers all served in the forces. Reginald and Albert in the Cheshires and Leonard in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Albert was seriously wounded and lost his leg.
John was drafted abroad in August 1916. He contracted dysentry the following July and had only just returned to the front when he was killed in action on 23 November 1917.
He is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece.