Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edward Adams, a shoe trade finisher, born 1866 in the United States of America and his wife Mary Ann Adams (nee Black, married in the 2nd quarter of 1888 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district), a shoe trade machinist, born 1868 in Anstey, Leicestershire. John was born in the 4th quarter of 1895 in Anstey, his siblings were, his siblings were, Charles Edward, born in the 3rd quarter of 1889, Muriel Eliza, born 1892, George, born on the 20th May 1893 and Lily, born 21st December 1889, all his siblings were born in Anstey, in March 1901 the family home was at Cropston Road, Anstey. In April 1911 John was employed as a shoe trade pressman, and was residing in the family home at Cropston Road, Anstey, together with his widowed mother, a shoe trade machinist and his siblings, Muriel, a shoe trade machinist, George, a boot trade riveter, Lily, a schoolgirl and Arthur, a schoolboy, born 1906 in Anstey. His brother Charles died of wounds received in action and George fell in action.
The War Diary records: 29 Apr-18 - Battalion disposed over large area, men in breast works and shelters, Battalion Headquarters in a house in ESSARS. No movement allowed by day. ESSARS CHURCH heavily shelled this morning.