De Ruvigny Roll of Honour Vol 2 page 147
John Griffin was born in Gateshead, Durham, on the 13th April 1890, the eldest son of (the late) William Griffin, Auctioneer, and his wife Mary (now the wife of John Eagles, of 26 Westbourne Street, Everton, Liverpool), daughter of John Nolan.
John was educated at the St Francis Xavier's Roman Catholic School, Liverpool. He was employed as a Tobacco Presser.
He enlisted on the 11th November 1914 and was sent to France on the 25th August 1915. He was killed in action at the Bluff, north of the Ypres-Commines Canal on the 2nd March 1916.
Major C. W. West wrote:- "I remember him well when I was commanding 'A' Company, and always found him willing and capable. It is indeed a great sorrow to us all. In your sorrow it may be some little comfort to you to know that the action was a most brilliant one, and all behaved most splendidly, upholding well the traditions of the regiment."
Reverend M.P.G. Leonard, Chaplain to the Forces wrote:- "I know what a heavy blow this will be to you, and my heart goes out in sympathy, but nothing can take from you the pride you will always have that he gave his life to such a good cause. His is the death of a true man and a brave soldier, for he gave his life for England's honour and to protect our homes from German oppression." He was not married.
De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
