John was born and raised in Dolgellau, Merionethshire. His parents were Mr John and Mrs Mary Anne Humphreys, Market Hall in the town.  
John enlisted in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in early 1916 and was attached to the 21st Battalion. He was based in Kinmel Park, North Wales, undergoing training. During his training he became unwell and was transferred to hospital in Bangor. His illness is unknown but it was sufficiently serious as, over about ten days, his condition worsened and, on 19 April 1916, he died. 
At the time of his enlistment he had been a school master in Pantperthog near Machynlleth, having previously taught in schools in Dolgellau and Towyn. He had moved to College in Hull but the college had been closed. It was about that time he enlisted.
John was a popular and well respected young man. He was buried in Dolgellau in what was described as the most respectful funeral the town had seen for some time. The funeral was attended by friends and colleagues from his Regiment, the schools where had worked as well as his friends and neighbours from Dolgellau.
R James, writing under the pseudonym Trebor composed a poem in John's memory. Space allows for only one verse to be written here:
" Uno wnaeth a milwyr Cymru

Am gyfiawnder idd ei wlad;

A dangosodd na chadd llwfrdra

Ffordd i mewn i'w galon fad.

Milwr da ym Myddin Iesu

Ydoedd hefyd ar pob pryd;

Heddyw'r goron anllygredig

Ga'dd yng Nghanaan - Gwyn ei fyd!"
John is buried in in Dolgellau's Cemetery and commemorated on the War Memorial in the town.
We will remember him.   

Emrys Tippett