John was on board the Hired Transport "Transylvania", when it was proceeding to Egypt with reinforcements, and was sunk by a torpedo by the German U-boat U-63 off Cape Vado, a few kilometres south of Savona. He was the son of George and Mary Ann Heys of Wilkin Street, Clitheroe; and the husband of Ellen Heys of 33 Brownlow Street, Clitheroe, Lancs.