Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Alfred Black a Gas Stoker, born 1858 in Barrow upon Soar, Leics., and his wife Harriett, born 1857 in Quorndon, Leics. John Arthur was born in 1883 in Loughborough, Leics., his siblings were Alfred, born 1882, Albert, born 1886, Harriett, born 1889 and Ernest, born 1891, all his siblings were born in Loughborough, Leics., also residing with the family was his maternal grandfather, William Thompson a widower, born 1822 in Woodhouse, Leics., and his maternal uncle John Thompson a Bricklayers Labourer, born 1853 in Quorndon, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at 43, Granville Street, Loughborough, Leics., in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Emmanuel. In March 1901 John was employed as a Gas Works Engine Driver and was residing in the family home at 43, Granville Street, Loughborough, Liecs., in the Ecclesiastical Parish of All Saints, together with his father and siblings, Alfred, Albert, Harriett and Ernest. There was no War Diary entry for this date.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Herald February 3rd 1915
LOUGHBOROUGH SOLIDER DEAD
Pte. John a. Black of the 7th Leicestershire Regiment died in the field hospital on December 19th from wounds received in action. He was a Loughborough lad, 22 years of age and lived with his brother and sister at 35 Pinfold Gate, and was employed at the Falcon Works before he enlisted in the first month of the war. He was a member of the Emmanuel Bible Class and was well known as a good athlete.
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Echo December 31st 1915
Loughborough Lad Killed.

News has been received in Loughborough of the death of Private John Arthur Black, of the 7th Leicesters. In company with his platoon he was working on a parapet of the trench in France during a dense fog. Suddenly the fog lifted and the Germans opened fire from their machine guns. Whilst some of the others were wounded, Black failed to recover. The lad was one of the men amongst the first group who enlisted from the Falcon Works in August, 1914, and lived with his married brother in Pinfold Street. He had for some time been a member of Miss Cayless's Bible Class in Emmanuel Parish.
- Writing on the day before he was wounded to a fellow member of the Bible Class in Loughborough, he talked about the time of the boys coming home after the declaration of peace, and what hearty rejoicings there would be. He also reminded his friend of the Christmas festivities last year, and what a glorious time they all had together.
- It is interesting to know, as showing the genuine character of the lad that he had written to his brother's wife telling her to look into the pocket of his civilian clothes which he had left behind, and she would find 5s., which he wished her to spend upon his nephews and nieces this Christmas.
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Extracts from newspaper articles submitted by family member, J. Young, who added the following information (Nov. 2016):
He was the son of John Henry Black a farm labourer, born 1859 in Rempstone, Notts; and his wife Annie, born 1859 in Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire.
John Arthur was born in 1893 in Loughborough, Leics; his siblings were James Henry, born in 1883 in Rempstone, George, born in 1885 in Wymeswold, Albert, born 1887 in Loughborough, Florence May, born in 1889 in Loughborough, Frank, born in 1891 in Loughborough and Annie, born in 1898 in Loughborough.
In April 1911 John was living with his eldest brother James at 34 Pinfold Street, Loughborough, Leics. He was employed as engineer-Iron Founder.

In 1915 he lived with his brother James Henry and Sister Annie at 35 Pinfold Gate, and was employed at the Falcon Works before he enlisted in the first month of the war. He was a member of the Emmanuel Bible Class and was well known as a good athlete.
In the newspaper article he talks about his nephews & nieces: one of the nephews he's talking about is my father.

Private 12284 John Arthur Black 7th Bn; Leicestershire Regiment who Died of wounds, France & Flanders on 19th Dec 1915 Humbercamps Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France Grave Reference/Panal no. I.C.3 Date of joining War 29 July 1915

War Medals = Victory & Star1915
British War Medal and Victory Medal

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Loughborough Echo, Friday February 4th, 1916

Private John A Black of the 7th Leicestershire Regiment, died in the field hospital on December 19th from wounds received in action. He was a Loughborough lad, 22 years of age, and lived with his brother and sister in Pinfold Street and was employed at the Falcon Works before he enlisted in the first month of the war. He was a member of the Emmanuel Bible Class.

Research undertaken by Gerald Berrington from the Loughborough Library Local Studies Department. 10/09/2018