Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Henry Priestley, a labourer, born 1843 in Loughborough, Leicestershire and his wife Phoebe Priestley (nee Sutton, married in the 4th quarter of 1869 in the Loughborough, Leicestershire district), born 1841 in Loughborough. John Sutton, a schoolboy, was born in the 4th quarter of 1883 in Loughborough, his siblings were, Annie, a hosiery trade cotton winder, born 1871, Henry, an iron foundry fitter, born 1873, William, a hosiery framework knitter, born 1875, Elizabeth, an errand girl, born 1877, Thomas, a needle maker, born 1879 and Sarah, a schoolgirl, born 1884, all his siblings were born in Loughborough, in April 1891 the family home was at Woodgate, Loughborough. In March 1901 John was an apprentice hosiery machine builder and was residing in the family home at 38, Moor Lane, Loughborough, together with his father, a corporation dustman, his mother and siblings, Annie, a hosiery trade winder, William, an electrical engineer’s apprentice and Thomas, a hosiery trade needle maker. In the 3rd quarter of 1901 in the Loughborough, Leicestershire district, John’s mother died aged 60. In April 1911 John was absent from the family home at 4, South Street, Loughborough, residing there was his father, a corporation labourer and his step mother, Mary Priestley (formerly Cunningham, nee Cooper, married in the 4th quarter of 1903 in the Loughborough, Leicestershire district), born 1851 in Loughborough. John’s father died on the 7th February 1915 in Loughborough.
The War Diary records: 26 Apr-15 – 5.30am. There was a short lull in the firing and Colonel KOE signalled for reinforcements and ammunition, as the regiment was rapidly running short of the latter. The first batch of about 30 wounded were taken onboard the Sapphire. 5.45am HMS Goliath reopened bombardment, the first two shells falling into our lines, there was immediately another very fierce attack on our lines, many casualties being caused by rifle fire at very close range and hand grenades. 7.00am. The right of our line broke and retired down the cliff followed by the centre, the left however held fast. Immediately after this a counter attack was organised on the right, which was successful in regaining our position. It was the counter attack which caused such heavy casualties among the officers. Immediately after the centre made a counter attack, which was successful in driving enemy some distance from the trenches. 9.30am. An order was then given by Colonel MATTHEWS that the whole force would move down to the coast by prolonging its right. There was some misunderstanding and this order was taken to be a command to retire, whence the left broke and withdrew in some confusion down the cliff. 3.00pm. Shortly after this the line rallied and occupied the trenches again. During this period the wounded were being as speedily as possible removed to the beach. When all wounded that could be found had been removed, the covering party withdrew to the beach. The re embarking on the warships was completed. Casualties of the KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS 296 officers, NCO’s and men.
On Friday February 4th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – LOUGHBOROUGH SERGEANT KILLED. After being reported wounded and then missing and wounded, from April 26th last, Sergt. John Priestley, of the 1st K.O.S. Borderers, and a native of Loughborough, has now been reported as killed in action on that date, while serving with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. Deceased was 32 years of age, the youngest son of the late Mr. H. Priestley, of South-street, Loughborough. He had seen 14 years service in the army, and was a clever footballer, playing frequently in regimental cup teams at full back.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Loughborough Echo, Friday February 4th, 1916

Local Sergeant Killed

Sergeant John Priestley, of the 1st K.O.S. Borderers, and a native of Loughborough, has now been officially reported as killed in action while serving with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. Deceased was 32 years of age, the youngest son of the late Mr Henry Priestley, of South Street, Loughborough, and his sister is Mrs F. Dakin, of Alfred Street, Loughborough. He had seen 14 years' service in the Army. Sergeant Priestley has previously been reported as wounded, and also missing and wounded.

Research undertaken by Gerald Berrington from the Loughborough Library Local Studies Department.