Son of Samuel (deceased) and Bridget Gilmore of Thorngate. Samuel was a hawker of drapery.
John was married to Mary Gilmore, of 3 Chapel Street, Filey.
Upon leaving school John joined the Green Howards and served in Ireland and India. Prior to the war he worked as a postman in both Filey and Barnard Castle.
Teesdale Mercury-09/12/1914: War items: Interesting career of a local soldier