John enlisted in November 1914. He was employed at Maxfield and Company’s Springhill Shed and was a member of the Healey Wood Sunday School at the time. He entered the war in Egypt on 11th August 1915. He was onboard H.M. Transport Ship 'Royal Edward' when it was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UB-14. He was the son of John and Sarah Ellen Whittaker and the husband of Margaret Whittaker.