Ron Carson has provided the following:
John was born in 1895 at Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, the son of Duncan and Margaret Annie of 7 Shortbridge Terrace, South Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne.
John enlisted with 22nd Battalion (3rd Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers and was killed in action on 9 April 1917, aged 21.