Ron Carson has provided the following:
John was born in the second quarter of 1873 at Newcastle upon Tyne, the son of Barbara (nee Allen) and the late Thomas of St Michael’s Road, Byker, Newcastle. His sister Elizabeth E Bell lived at 157 St Lawrence Street, Byker. John served with 22nd Battalion (3rd Tyneside Scottish), Northumberland Fusiliers and was killed in action on 14 March 1917, aged 43.