John was born on the 5th June 1897 at Hensingham, Cumberland. He was the third child of Henry and Amanda Eleanor (nee Cregeen).
He was baptised on the 22nd July 1897 at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Hensingham, Cumberland.
On the 1901 census he is shown living at High Hensingham with his parents.
He married Rebecca Watson on the 17th January 1923 in the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Whitehaven, Cumberland. She was the daughter of William and Sarah (nee Dixon), she was born on the 29th June 1896 at Langrigg Bank, Bromfield, Cumberland.
They had five children:
John was a coal miner all his working life, working at Walkmill Colliery, this was at Moresby Parks which is a village about two miles from Hensingham.
He lived at Hensingham all of his life, never living more than 500 meters from where he was born.
John died in West Cumberland Hospital, Hensingham, Cumbria on the 26th January 1978, his burial took place on the 30th January 1978 in Hensingham Cemetery.
Rebecca died in 8 Williamsons Lane, Hensingham, Cumberland on the 10th June 1960, her burial took place on the 13th June 1960 in Hensingham Cemetery.
Note: John and Rebecca were buried in the same grave (see table on the headstones page).