Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son Henry Flaherty, a coal miner, born 1860 in Rugeley, Staffs., and his wife Mary Ann Flaherty (married in the 1st quarter of 1884 in the Lichfield, Staffs. district), born 1864 in Rugeley, Staffs. John was born on the 15th December 1889 in Normacott, Longton, Staffs., his siblings were, William, a schoolboy, born 1885, Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born 1886 and Henry, born 1888, all his siblings were born in Rugeley, Staffs., in April 1891 the family home was at Brereton Road, Rugeley, Staffs. In March 1901 John was residing in the family home at 11, Bow Street, Rugeley, Staffs., together with his father, a coal miner, his mother and siblings, William, coal mine driver, Elizabeth, Henry, Patrick, born 1892, Rose, born 1894, Gertrude, born 1899 and Thomas, born 1901, the latter four siblings were all born in Rugeley, Staffs. In April 1911 John was absent from the family home at 6, Elmore Street, Rugeley, Staffs., residing there was his father, a colliery labourer, his mother and siblings, Elizabeth Lannon, his married sister, Henry, a colliery labourer, Gertrude, Thomas, Bernard, born 1905, Hilda, born 1908 and Francis, born 1908, the latter three siblings were all born in Rugeley, Staffs., John was employed as a coal miner and was residing as a lodger at 123, Pretoria Road, Ibstock, Leics.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday March 3rd, 1916

IBSTOCK FOOTBALLER KILLED

AFTER LEAVING THE DARDANELLES

News has been received of the death of Private J. Flaherty, a man well-known in the Ibstock district. Deceased was a private in the R.M.L.I. and was in the trenches on the Gallipoli Peninsular up to the evacuation, being killed on his ship in the Mediterranean, on January 7th – Flaherty was a native of Rugeley, but had resided in Ibstock during the past eight years, and was well-known as a local footballer, and was much respected by all who knew him.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby, 12/10/2017