John was a student at the London Hospital and qualified M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., and L.S.A. in 1894. He was in practice at Ecclesfield, Sheffield before joining the R.A.M.C., when he took a temporary commission at the rank of Lieutenant on 7th September 1917. He entered the war in France on 13th November 1917. John was onboard the Hospital Ship “Genart Castle” when it was torpedoed.