British War Medal; Allied Victory Medal

John was born in 1887 in Hollinwood, Oldham and later lived at 16 Water Street, Hurst Brook in Ashton. He lived with his father, Robert, a cotton spinner, and his mother, Maria. They had nine children including John. John worked as a milk seller for a farmer for a time.

By 1911 John had married Mary. He was working as a dryer at a calico bleach works and his wife was a ring spinner in a cotton mill.

It is not known when exactly John joined the Army but he did so in Failsworth. He was placed into the 16th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment and was given the service number 39921. Also known as the 1st City Battalion, this was a ‘pals battalion’ of Manchester lads who enlisted, trained and fought together.

John was killed on the 23rd April 1917. He was 30 years old. It is likely that he was involved in the attack on Cherisy, part of the Arras Offensive, in which the 16th Battalion suffered heavy casualties.

John is commemorated at Cherisy Road East Cemetery in Heniel. He is one of 63 men who are buried there and one of 15 men from the Manchester Regiment.

John’s medals were donated to the museum collections in 2014.