Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Clow a cordwainer, born 1857 in Barwell, Leics., and his wife Hephzibah, born 1847 in Hinckley, Leics. John William was born in 1886 in Barwell, Leics., his siblings were, Alice, born 1882 and Mary J., born 1884, both his siblings were born in Barwell, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at Mill Street, Barwell, Leics. In March 1901 John was employed as a shoe trade riveter and was residing in the family home at 41, Mill Street, Barwell, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Alice and Mary. In April 1911 John was employed as a wool warehouse man and was residing in the family home at 7, Spring Gardens, Hinckley, Leics., together with his wife Jennie, born 1887 in Markfield, Leics., and their son Dennis, born 1909 in Hinckley, Leics. The War Diary entry for events from the 24th to the 30th September 1916 records. East of TRONES WOOD. About 7.00pm on the 24th the Battalion marched up to take a position prior to making an attack the next day. Before they reached the position the enemy heavily shelled our men, several casualties resulting. At 12.30pm on the 25th the first attack was launched, the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT being in a position on the right of FLERS. The objective was the first German line, a distance of about a 1000 yards from the trench from which the Battalion launched the attack. The attack was made in waves, each platoon forming a wave, and 2 waves going over at a time. The attack was launched with splendid heroism, the first objective was gained in about ¾ of an hour, the men then stopped a short time to consolidate their gain, and to allow the artillery barrage to lift. They then pressed on to their second objective which was the village of GUEDECOURT. By the time they reached the village their ranks were sadly thinner, by the tremendous artillery barrage the enemy put up, and by machine guns which wrought terrible havoc. Never the less with dauntless gallantry they pressed on reaching the village and engaging the enemy in hand to hand fighting, which took place all the night. In the morning the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT relieved the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT in the village, and the enemy were finally driven out. The 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT were brought back to the second line of trenches, where they were relieved by the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT on the 28th. They then went back to SWISS TRENCH where they remained until relieved on the night of October 1st.