John began his education at St. Faith's Preparatory School, Cambridge. From 1901 to 1906 he attended the King's School, Canterbury, where he gained a junior scholarship in 1903 and a senior scholarship in 1905. He was appointed a monitor in 1904 and was a member of the rugby XV in 1904/5. A daring climber, he was known to slip out at night to climb Bell Harry Tower and claimed to have reached the top in under fifteen minuets. After Kings he went to Trinity College, Cambridge, gaining a 3rd Class natural science tripos in 1909. In 1912 he entered the London Hospital, where he studied medicine. Whilst at Cambridge he rowed for the college, and played forward for the college Rugby fifteen, being a member of the Hospital team which won the Cup at Richmond in March 1914. John completed the examination for the conjoint Board Diploma in October 1913, then graduated M.B. in December the same year. He then held appointments of Senior Dresser and Clinical Assistant to Out-Patients, and Receiving Room Officer. John obtained a commission in the R.A.M.C. on 3rd November 1914, joining the Special Reserve of Officers. On 19th March 1915 he was serving with the 18th General Hospital, entering the war with the unit in France. He served with them until 8th June 1915 when he was posted for duty to the 28th Division. On arrival he was attached to the 1/5th Bn. Kings Own Royal Lancashire Regiment to serve as their Medical Officer. He died of shrapnel wounds to his head and legs. He was the third son of Lt/Col (R.A.M.C. [T.F.] ) Frederick and Louisa Ellen Deighton of "St. Bernard's" 47 Hills Road, Cambridge. [Collated from war diaries, research Kindly provided by J C Hamblin, and from The London Hospital Gazette]